PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team twice held a lead in Monday's non-conference matchup with Loyola (Md.), but both times the Greyhounds were quickly able to get the equalizer. So it was probably appropriate that the teams played to a 2-2 draw at Rhodes Field.
 
Penn is now 2-1-1 on the season while Loyola is 1-2-2.
 
Quaker Notemeal
*It was a spirited match between these two, as a total of six yellow cards were handed out on the night.
 
*Graduate student Joey Bhangdia had Penn's first goal on Monday night, his third of the season.
 
*Freshman Charlie Gaffney had the Quakers' other tally, his first goal as a collegian.
 
*Matt Leigh added two more assists to his ledger on Monday night; the senior continues to lead Penn with seven points (2g/3a).
 
*Goalkeeper Nick Christoffersen was credited with an assist on Bhangdia's goal, the first point of his career.
 
*Sophomore Michael Hewes also had an assist on Monday, his first collegiate point.
 
*Christoffersen also had two saves for Penn.
 
How It Happened
After a fairly uneventful first half that saw just eight shots and three saves, it took only four minutes for Penn go in front after the break. A long kick from goalkeeper Christoffersen was received by Leigh, who quickly pushed it to an onrushing Bhangdia. The graduate student caught up to it and pushed a shot past Loyola goalkeeper Alex Bobocea's left side and into the back of the net.
 
Just 2:23 after Penn went up, Loyola drew level. A Penn trip in the box gave the visitors a penalty kick, and Daniel Tshiani hammered the shot into the lower left corner past Christoffersen who guessed incorrectly.
 
Penn went back ahead in the 71st minutes. Against the run of play, a Quakers counter ended with Gaffney putting a shot past Bobocea for the 2-1 lead.
 
Once again, the Greyhounds had an answer. This time it took them 3:40, but a ball into the box was headed home by Matthew Lala.
 
Neither team could find a winner after that, through the final 15 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime.
 
Up Next
Penn is back at home on Friday night, hosting Mount St. Mary's at 7 p.m.