Towson, Md. - A goal from freshman Patrick O'Brien and another stout defensive effort was the recipe for the William and Mary men's soccer team's fourth straight shutout victory, 1-0, at Towson on Saturday afternoon. Playing the third of its first four CAA games on the road, the Green and Gold remained atop of the league standings improving to 3-0 in conference play and 6-3 overall, while handing the Tigers (1-5-1, 0-2) their first loss at home this season.

With the game scoreless in the 65th minute, O'Brien nodded a header up and over the top of Towson goalkeeper John Steele to give the College the lead, 1-0. Sophomore back Will Smith provided the service on the goal, and the Williamsburg, Va., native headed it home for the first collegiate goal and game-winner. It was Smith's second assist in the last three games with both coming on game-winning goals.

The score was all the W&M defense would need as they once again posted a clean sheet. Senior goalkeeper Colin Smolinsky made a pair of saves in the second half, three overall, including his final stop in the 89th minute off a shot from C.J. Corey. The Tigers had a pair of shots and two corner kicks over the final 2:30 of the contest, but the Tribe defense held strong.

Along with Smolinsky, the Tribe backline of Smith, senior Andrew Mahan, sophomore Andrew Hinnant and freshman Michael Teiman continued its stellar play in registering the team's fourth straight shutout and fifth overall. It marks the first time since the 1995 season that the College posted four straight shutout victories.

Towson outshot the Tribe, 7-5, in the opening 45 minutes, but could only put one attempt on frame as Smolinsky denied Enrico Skrypzak in the 32nd minute. W&M had a pair of chances on goal in the first half, but Steele made saves when facing shots from senior midfielder Nicolas Abrigo in the 21st minute and sophomore forward John Ciampa in the 27th.

In the second half, the Tribe controlled things, outshooting the Tigers, 10-5, and put half those chances on frame. Freshman midfielder Chris Albiston registered four shots in the second 45 minutes, including a pair on goal, while both O'Brien shots were on frame, including the game-winning goal at the 64:42 mark.

For the game, W&M outshot Towson, 15-12, including a 7-3 advantage in attempts on frame. The Tigers registered five corner kicks compared to the Tribe's one, and Towson goalkeeper John Steele finished with six saves in the loss. Abrigo finished with three shots for the Green and Gold, and junior midfielder Ben Anderson had a pair of attempts.

Off to its best start in CAA play since going a perfect 8-0 in 1996, the College will wrap up its conference-opening four-match road trip in Atlanta against Georgia State on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. The Panthers have won each of their last two matches, claiming a 1-0 triumph at ACC foe N.C. State on Tuesday, before tallying a 1-0 overtime victory at home over Hofstra on Saturday. A Stephen McGill penalty kick in the 93rd minute gave the Panthers their first CAA win of the season over the Pride as GSU improved to 7-2-1 overall and 1-1 in league action. Georgia State also improved to a perfect 4-0 at home this season. Last season, W&M downed the Panthers, 3-0, in Williamsburg.