In a dramatic showdown on Friday night, Army West Point Men’s Soccer emerged victorious over their Navy rivals in Army-Navy Cup XIII, held at Subaru Park. With tensions running high and a crowd of over 10,000 spectators, Gage Lyons' late-game heroics in the 84th minute ensured a 2-1 win for the Black Knights, as they secured yet another Star for Army in the ongoing Star Series presented by USAA.
The match opened with immediate intensity as Army quickly drew first blood. Ronald Zhai found the back of the net just seven minutes into the game, converting a corner kick from Owen Ennis. This early goal set the tone for the first half, which saw an even distribution of chances between the two teams, with both Army and Navy recording eight shots apiece.
Navy, however, was not to be counted out. They regrouped in the second half and found their equalizer in the 55th minute when Jalen Grant skillfully headed in a corner kick from Victor Saade. This goal brought the score to 1-1, heightening the excitement as both teams continued to create opportunities.
Despite Navy’s efforts, Army began to assert their dominance, outshooting the Midshipmen 19-11 overall and 11-3 in the second half. Lyons led the charge with six total shots, pressuring Navy’s defense throughout the game. It was his persistence that paid off in the 84th minute when he capitalized on a loose ball in the box, securing the game-winning goal and allowing Army to “sing second” in celebration of their victory.
Blair Camargo, returning to Army’s starting lineup after a two-game absence, played a crucial role in goal, making five key saves to keep Navy at bay. His performance, along with Lyons’ relentless attack, sealed the Black Knights’ sixth win in the Army-Navy Cup era, extending their series lead to 6-3-4.
The match was played in front of a vibrant crowd of 10,134 fans, the second-largest in Army-Navy Cup history. This victory also contributed to Army’s 4-1 lead in the all-sport Star Series, with other notable wins in Volleyball, Sprint Football, and Golf.
After the match, Army Head Coach Brian Plotkin praised his team’s resilience and fight, particularly after conceding the equalizer.
“What a fun night and a great game against a very good Navy team. Really proud of the guys. They fought,” Plotkin remarked. He also expressed gratitude for the special nature of this annual rivalry game, calling it “America’s game.”
Looking ahead, Army will travel to Princeton for a non-league match on October 15 before returning to West Point to host Bucknell on October 20. Meanwhile, Navy will regroup as they prepare for their next challenge against Holy Cross on October 20.
With this exciting win, Army continues to strengthen its hold on the historic rivalry, leaving fans eager for the next chapter in this storied competition.
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