PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team came from behind with two second-half goals to stun Drexel, 2-1, in a Philly Soccer Six matchup on Tuesday night at Rhodes Field.
 
Goals by senior Matt Leigh and graduate student Joey Bhangdia, along with a career-high 11 saves from senior Dane Jacomen, gave the Quakers their fifth win of the season, while Drexel fell to 5-5-1.
 
Quaker Notemeal
*The come-from-behind victory was the first such win for Penn since a 3-2 double overtime triumph over West Virginia on November 3, 2015.
 
*For the fifth time in the last six Penn-Drexel contests, the final margin was tight; each team has two one-goal wins with one draw in those five meetings
 
*The win was Penn's fourth at home this season, the third straight season they've won at least four home games under head coach Brian Gill after accomplishing the feat just three times between 2010 and 2017.
 
How It Happened
The Dragons controlled much of the first half, firing off 10 shots to Penn's three. During that 45-minute run, Drexel put away the match's first goal in the 25th minute. A cross from the right side of the 18-yard box found the back post open for a finish by Drexel's Chris Donovan.
 
At the half, the Quakers made adjustments that saw them earn more possession in the second. Although registering only five shots in the closing 45, three were on target with two finding the back of the net.
 
In the 61st minute, senior Ben Stitz fired off a low shot off the right post that deflected to the left side of the box for an open-net opportunity. In the right place at the right time, Leigh crashed in for the quick touch and the equalizer.
 
Nearly four minutes later, the deciding finish was placed when Bhangdia found room on the left end line to rip a hard lined shot toward the right side of the net. However, his shot clipped the leg of a Drexel player, redirecting his shot into the top left side of the goal for the game winner.
 
In the closing 26 minutes, the Dragons pushed a heavy offensive front to send the match to extra time with 10 shots. Dane Jacomen, who nearly doubled his previous career-high in saves, turned away all four attempts on target to seal up the decision.
 
Up Next
The Drexel match kicked off a four-match home stretch for the Quakers, continuing Saturday with an Ivy League battle against Dartmouth. First touch is set for 5 p.m.