PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team used two goals, from
Jake Kohlbrenner and
Matt Leigh, and a solid defensive effort to dispatch Delaware Tuesday evening on Rhodes Field, 2-1. The win is the second straight for the Quakers.
PENN NOTES
*Kohlbrenner's goal is his third of the season and sixth of his career. The sophomore has been on a tear offensively for the Quakers, scoring in two-straight games after netting the game winner against Brown on Sunday, and three of the last four.
*Leigh hammered home the game winner for the Red and Blue, the first goal of his career. The score came on a beautiful offensive sequence, started by
Joey Bhangdia in the midfield to
Erumuse Momoh on the left flank. The duo both earned their first assists of the season.
*Freshman
Isaac McGinnis notched his first career point, assisting on Kohlbrenner's goal to open the scoring.
*Senior goalkeeper
Scott Forbes tallied four saves in the victory.
*Tuesday's result is Penn's first win in regulation of the season.
*The Quakers remain unbeaten all-time against Delaware, improving to 3-0-2 in the all-time series. The win is the second-straight after a 3-1 victory in Newark for the Red and Blue a season ago.
*Penn finishes non-conference play 3-1-5, its best record against opponents outside the Ivy League since 2014.
HOW IT HAPPENED
As the two sides found their rhythm, most play was done in the midfield early on. With Delaware bringing up their back line and Penn looking to be opportunistic on offense, a few leading passes led to offsides calls against the Quakers, a result that would prove to be a common theme throughout the night.
The first shot of the match came on a ball led to
Joe Swenson in the center of the box from
Wes Maki, as the senior flared the shot just wide left of the goal. Following that attempt, the Blue Hens would maintain possession for a large portion of the opening period, forcing the Red and Blue to play defense, which they did valiantly.
As time wore on, Penn began to push forward and gain energy from its defensive success. The Quakers could sniff a goal, and they eventually found one after a strong burst in the midfield from McGinnis, as the freshman found Kohlbrenner in his sweet spot on the left side of the box. The sophomore cut in, put himself on frame and ripped a shot high and center, just above the outstretched hand of the Delaware keeper. The score was nearly from the same location of Sunday's golden-goal winner against Brown, and was enough to put Penn ahead.
It was nearly another goal for Kohlbrenner just over a minute into the second half, as the New York native found himself on a run out with only the goalie to beat. Unfortunately for Penn, Blai Palmi closed in enough to deflect the prime opportunity for the Quakers. That missed chance would come back to haunt Penn, as less than a minute later, the Quakers were whistled for a handball in the penalty box. The Blue Hens lined up for the penalty kick and shocked the fans in attendance, sending the goalkeeper, Palmi, up to take the shot. He went upper-90 and equalized the game at 1-1 in the blink of an eye.
Jerel Blades returned to the lineup for the Quakers for the first time since suffering an injury against Marist (Sept. 21) and quickly made his presence felt, sending in a shot from
Brandon Bartel as Penn looked to reclaim momentum. As play settled back into the midfield, Penn looked to optimize its counter attack chances as the Blue Hens forced the Quakers into playing more and more defense. A prime opportunity came from a streaking
RC Williams up the right flank, who sent a ball to the far post, near Bhangdia and
Amado Lozano. Lozano put together a cheeky heel shot, but right into the arms of the Palmi.
It wouldn't take much longer for Penn to find what it wanted, though. Bhandgia collected the ball in midfield and sent it left to the speedy Momoh. Momoh drove the ball near the end line before striking to the middle and finding Leigh, who one-timed a shot straight to the back of the net in the 73rd minute.
Delaware pushed forward and tried to find the equalizer late, but Penn's defense prevailed, snuffing out the Blue Hen attack in and around the 18 to hold on for the win.
WHAT'S NEXT?
It's all Ivy League play left for the Quakers, as Penn makes its final road trip of the season on Saturday, Nov. 3, facing Princeton in the Garden State. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
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