One of the biggest logjams in recent memory in the Patriot League standings means the Navy men’s soccer team has everything to play for with only two games remaining in the season.
The Midshipmen and four other teams are tied for fourth place with identical 3-3-1 records in conference play. Mathematically, Navy could still win the conference by beating Boston University on Friday and American on Tuesday, then getting some help in other contests.
While winning the regular season is a long shot, being one of the top six teams to make the postseason tournament is very realistic, especially considering Navy is as healthy as it has been in a long time.
Just last week, Navy welcomed back midfielder Connor Walcott, who had been out since early September. His addition, combined with the return of forward A.J. Schuetz after missing four games because of injury, has coach Tim O’Donohue optimistic about his team’s chances in the final stretch.
“Getting Connor back is really going to help us these last two games. He is an important player for us,” O’Donohue said. “And A.J. has really started to come into his own these last few games. We need someone who can score goals. We are getting healthy at the right time.”
One player who will not be returning to the lineup until next season is freshman sensation Wyatt Stevens, who suffered a torn ACL on Sept. 21 against Lafayette after scoring the game-winning goal. Incredibly, Stevens’ four goals through eight games still tops the team even though he has missed the last six games.
“It’s been the story of the season in a lot of ways. Wyatt was emerging as a Rookie of the Year type candidate,” O’Donohue said of Stevens, who had surgery last week and is expected to make a full recovery.
Even with the return of Walcott and Schuetz, O’Donohue knows that he will have to depend a lot on his defense to beat Boston and American, two teams that sit above the Mids in the standings. And when it comes to defense, a lot of his confidence in the team begins in goal with Pierce Holbrook.
The senior standout has played every minute between the pipes for the Mids and is only allowing 1.36 goals per contest, which ranks fourth in the Patriot League. Last week, Holbrook was named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week for his performance in Navy’s 1-0 shutout against Lehigh.
“That’s what Pierce can do. I was really happy for him,” O’Donohue said. “He had to do a little more than what I would have liked during the last 15 minutes, but he can do it when you need him to.”
In his career, Holbrook has 18 shutouts in 52 starts which puts him in elite company, according to his coach.
“You can make the argument that since I’ve been here for nine years that he is one of the top three or four players I have coached. He has all the tools, great size, great feet, covers all the ground, and is unbelievable shot stopper. He was excellent [against Lehigh] and has been for the last three years.”
Holbrook said being able to communicate constantly and effectively with the defenders in front of him helps make his job easier.
“As the goalie, you see the whole field, so it’s important to stay locked in and keep talking to the guys to make sure everyone is focused and where they need to be,” he said. “Communicating helps a lot because sometimes [the goalie] doesn’t even need to do his job.
“If you can’t command your box, it’s not going to work. Having a presence in the goal is the biggest part of the position.”
Holbrook is one of seven seniors who will be honored Friday night prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff against Boston at Glenn Warner. Both he and his coach are hopeful that the home field advantage on Friday and again Tuesday will make a difference.
“Boston is one of the hardest teams we play in the Patriot League. Two years ago, we knocked them out of the tournament so I know they will be ready, but senior night will be big for us,” Holbrook said.
“It’s always emotional when guys leave particularly here at Navy, so we will try to honor them before the game, but then lock in and get ready to play. We have played really well at home,” said O’Donohue.