The Massachusetts men’s soccer team had something to prove in last weekend’s UMass Adidas Classic. After two disheartening losses, it had to show that it could play as a team.

Coming into the invitational tourney, the Minutemen (3-2) had pressing issues on both sides of the ball that needed serious consideration. Their offense was struggling to find timely scoring and the defense was looking for cohesion.

Mercer (2-4) was the first test for the Minutemen, and it was one that the Maroon and White’s defense had all the answers to.

The Bears were held to only nine shots in the game as the UMass defense, led by sophomore Craig Canavan, thwarted any dangerous attempt on goal.

Freshman goalie Nick Billman complemented the tenacious Minuteman defense by stopping four shots on goal, helping UMass to its second clean sheet of the season.

Billman’s most impressive save came with just 1:30 left in regulation, the score tied at zero and the game on the line. Mercer’s 2002 offensive MVP Del Olaoye laced the ball right on target but was met by the outstretched hands of Billman, sending it to overtime.

The Maroon and White had an array of scoring chances throughout the game, outshooting the Bears 26-9. It was the matter of finishing on these opportunities that kept the game scoreless and pushed into overtime.

“Offensively I was very pleased, but we still have a long ways to go,” UMass coach Sam Koch said.

In overtime, the Minutemen extinguished any question about who was the better team. Two minutes into the extra period, sophomore Jason Scudamore netted the golden goal, ending the 92-minute long scoreless tension.

Yesterday, Navy (1-4) brought a very quick and athletic team that has been in a bit of a slump recently. The Midshipmen dropped a 1-0 decision to Hartford Friday, and were looking for any kind of spark to re-energize their offense.

Once again, the Maroon and White defense was the difference. The entire unit kept Navy’s attack at bay for the first half, slowing down an otherwise up-tempo Midshipman offense.

“It’s not just one guy, it’s everybody from the midfielders and back, overall just a full team effort,” said Koch.

Once again UMass’ offense was shut down, even with several opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. Navy’s defense was just as smothering as the Maroon and White’s, and the game was scoreless at the beginning of the second half.

The scoring drought was ended when the offensive tandem of Ptah Myers and tournament MVP Oral Bullen connected for the game’s first goal. Myers created enough space for Bullen to make a charge at goal and chip one past goaltender Frank DeFilippo.

After the offense flexed their muscles it was the defense that began to look shaky. At 24:19, Navy made its first real attempt at breaking the ice.

A faulty header and poor positioning by UMass goalkeeper Colin Burns left a wide open net for the Midshipmen. The opportunity was lost after Navy’s shot went wide right and slammed the post.

The momentum seemed to fuel Navy as its attack continued. The Maroon and White defense could only hold the attack for another three minutes until 21:28, when the Midshipmen put in their first goal.

A loose ball off another Navy header rolled in front of the goal uncontested by the Minuteman defense, and was knocked home by Carter Stapleton.

“[Navy] was very organized and fit, they play really solid as a unit,” said Koch.

With 16 minutes left in the game it appeared that the Midshipmen were in control of the game’s tempo. UMass back Chris Camerota came out of the game after having a tooth knocked out, opening up a hole for a quick Midshipman attack.

The momentum was cut short when Myers put a one-touch shot on goal, barely missing. The scoring chance gave the UMass offense signs of life.

UMass regained control of the game after Stapleton’s illegal slide tackle earned him a yellow card. The booking brought a wave of support from the crowd.

The Minutemen began to cruise with the fan support and with only 3:52 left in the game, senior Dan Colwell received a through pass from Bullen and netted the deciding goal.

With the victory, the Maroon and White won the invitational, but Koch looked ahead warily to the Atlantic 10 season, which starts Oct. 3.

“We still have a lot to work on, this weekend was good for us … it was a good team effort all around,” Koch said.