Oct. 26, 2001

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Senior Justine Fisher's header off a corner kick eight minutes into the second half proved all the scoring needed as host Navy held on to defeat Army 1-0 in a Patriot League women's soccer match Friday evening at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. The league-leading Midshipmen (12-4-1, 5-1) clinched a playoff berth to the four-team tournament field with the decision.

"It was a tremendous game and a tale of two halves," said Army coach Gene Ventriglia. "It was a cold night and we had the wind to our backs in the first half, and Navy had the wind in the second half. In that game winning goal, the wind kept the ball up in the air.

"We had opportunities, including three unbelievable chances after Navy went up 1-0, but unfortunately we came up short. It was a game we could have won," continued Ventriglia. "I am very proud of my team because they played with a lot of pride and put forth a tremendous effort. I feel we are getting close to where we want to be."

Fisher, the league's top rookie in 1998 and offensive player the following year, tied the school scoring mark of 109 points when she headed Nadia Sheikh's corner kick into the goal in the 53rd minute. The Mids held a slim 8-7 shot advantage in the second half and led 14-11 overall along with holding a 4-2 margin in corner kicks.

Kate Macfarlane turned aside three shots in preserving the Mids seventh shutout, while Army goalkeeper Sara Johnson finished with four.

With the win, the Mids pulled ahead 6-5 in the series. It was the seventh game decided by a goal. The first five games in the series were one-goal decisions by Army, while Navy has won the last two.

The Black Knights (10-7-1, 2-4), who have clinched their first winning season since 1997, host Colgate at Clinton Field Saturday, Nov. 3, in the regular-season league finale. Colgate, the defending regular-season champions, have fallen onto hard times and rank in the bottom half of the standings.

Army      0    0    -    0
Navy      0    1    -    1

N - Fisher (Sheikh), 53:08

Shots: Army 11, Navy 14
Corner Kicks: Army 2, Navy 4
Saves: Army 4 (Johnson), Navy 3 (Macfarlane)
Team Records: Navy 12-4-1, 5-1, Army 10-7-1, 2-4