PHILADELPHIA – For the third straight match, the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team conceded the first goal before rallying for a 2-1 win, knocking off the Temple Owls in Philly Soccer Six action Tuesday night from Rhodes Field.
Goals by graduate
Joey Bhangdia and senior
Matt Leigh provided the difference in the Quakers' seventh win of the season while Temple fell to 2-8-2.
Quaker Notemeal
*The Quakers have now won three straight matches for the first time since September of 2011.
*With the win, Penn is now guaranteed a third straight season with a home record above .500 after posting just two such seasons between 2012 and 2017.
*While the two have split playing time in net throughout the season, Tuesday night marked the first time junior
Nick Christoffersen and senior
Dane Jacomen appeared in the same match.
How It Happened
Temple struck first in the 10th minute with an Amir Cohen goal past a diving effort from
Nick Christoffersen.
As they did last Saturday night against Dartmouth, the Quakers were quick to respond as Bhangdia scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season just two minutes later.
Each side had opportunities throughout the rest of the opening half, the best coming when freshman
Charlie Gaffney delivered a precise through ball to classmate
Stas Korzeniowski in the 42nd minute, but Temple goalkeeper Goodwill Agbaadem got just enough to keep the match tied going to halftime.
Jacomen made a highlight-reel diving save early in the second half, keeping the match tied.
Temple's Kyle Hellman had a look from the top of the box in the 70th minute, but sent one just over the crossbar. In the 79th minute, Leigh found room inside the six-yard box to re-direct a shot from Stitz into the net, tying Bhangdia with his fifth goal of the year.
The Penn defense held Temple without an on-target attempt the rest of the way.
Up Next
The Quakers return to Ivy League action Saturday when they host the Yale Bulldogs to close out a four-match homestand. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.
#FightOnPenn
