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Annapolis, Maryland- The #10 ranked Navy Midshipmen hosted # 4 ranked Georgetown in what proved to be a down to the wire heated battle. For the first time in NCAA history the Mirabito brothers went head to head in a top 10 showdown. Navy senior Nick Mirabito provided two goals and one assist, while Georgetown's red-shirt freshman and younger brother Ricky Mirabito provided three goals, one of which was the over time game winner.
On a chilly Saturday evening at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, player of the game Patrick Moran led the Midshipmen with three goals, which did not prove to be enough to stall Georgetown's overtime victory.
From the opening face-off both teams maintained possessions, but squandered them away with careless fundamentals. Georgetown's Andrew Baird opened the scoring with 8:24 remaining in the first period as he intercepted the Navy goalkeeper's outlet pass and juked his way to a one goal advantage.
Georgetown won the ensuing face-off and possessed the ball long enough for every starting member to gain a touch. Once again, Maryland native Andrew Baird proved to be the finishing factor when he stuck a right handed quick stick past Navy's Tommy Phalen for a 2-0 opening lead.
With 6:45 remaining in the first period Nick Mirabito got Navy on the board from a loose ball opportunity off a Miles Kass deflected shot. Nick Mirabito picked up the loose ball and dunked it for the Midshipmen's first goal.
Georgetown's Dan D'Agnes provided the next scoring opportunity with 2:00 remaining in the first period. D'Agnes dodged down the righty alley creating space, finishing an unassisted goal from 12 yards out. Scoring his first of three goals on the day, Georgetown's Ricky Mirabito sent a beautiful shot over the left shoulder of Navy's Tommy Phalen.
As both teams battled for possession in the second quarter Georgetown's Andrew Brancaccio provided another quick score as he sent a high heater past Phalen. Down 5-1 Navy needed a quick answer. Junior Matt Bitter provided that answer with 9:35 remaining in the second quarter. Matt Bitter from Stowe, Vermont provided an epic finish to a hard to reach feed as he sent a high to low dribbler passed Kass.
With 2:58 remaining in the second period Georgetown's #17 Craig Stevenson committed a tripping penalty giving Navy an extra man opportunity. Capitalizing off the extra man opportunity was none other than Annapolis local Pat Moran. Moran drilled a low angled high to high stunner past Kass for a 3-5 push.
Andrew Brancaccio would provide the Hoyas with a three goal lead going into halftime as he sent an underhand ripper passed Phalen from 12 yards out.
Leaving right where they left off, Georgetown's Andrew Baird scored his second goal of the game off an assist from Brendan Cannon. Shortly after, the Hoyas's Ricky Mirabito struck once again with 7:04 remaining in the third period.
Navy took a time out with 7:04 remaining in the third period with hopes to regroup. This timeout proved necessary as Navy went on a 4-0 third quarter run capped off by Senior Attackman Greg Clement's dirty behind the back goal.
Georgetown led 9-7 heading into the final period of regulation. Basil Daratsos came out of the huddle firing as he sent a laser past Kass. Unassisted Daratsos slang a high heater past Kass closing the score to 8-9.
Brendan Cannon made his presence known as he bounced an unassisted goal over the right handed shoulder of Tommy Phalen making the score 8-10. Greg Clement brought the score within one once again as he finished a feed from Sophomore Joe Lennon.
With 39 seconds remaining in regulation sophomore standout Basil Daratsos sent the game into overtime when he stuck a right handed shot off a loose ball.
Navy's momentum carried into over time as Mikelis Visgauss won the opening face-off. After three Navy shots Georgetown was provided with its first overtime possession. It did not take long for Mirabito's Hoya magic to kick in as he sent the overtime winner past Phalen off and assist from Brendan Cannon.
The Navy Midshipmen will be back in action this Friday night in College Park against the top ranked Maryland Terrapins. The Hoyas host Mt. St. Mary's this Tuesday in Washington D.C.
Video Highlights from CBS
