Box Score TEANECK, N.J. – The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team opened the season with a thrilling 3-2 victory on the road against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night at FDU's University Stadium.
RC Williams scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 70th minute to lift the Quakers (1-0) over the Knights (1-2).
It was a big day for
Matt Leigh, as the senior scored a pair of first-half markers for the Red and Blue.
Quaker Notemeal
*Friday night's match was Penn's first in 657 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
*Dating back to the end of the 2019 season, the Quakers have a six-match unbeaten streak.
*The Red and Blue are now 6-0-0 all-time against Fairleigh Dickinson.
*Penn is a perfect 3-0-0 in season-opening contests under James C. Gentle Head Coach of Men's Soccer
Brian Gill.
*Leigh's goals were his first since the 2018 season.
*Brian Stitz had an assist on the first goal of the match. It marked his first collegiate point after appearing in 32 games over the last two seasons.
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Jack Rosener registered an assist on Leigh's second goal, the first helper of his career.
*In a night of firsts for many Quakers, Williams had his first goal for the Quakers and it proved to be the match-winner.
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Dane Jacomen tied a career-high with six saves for Penn and earned his sixth career win.
How It Happened
Penn came out on the attack and the Quakers took a lead in the fourth minute as Leigh scored.
Ben Stitz sent a free kick into the box that found Leigh's head and Penn took the early lead.
The Quakers added to their advantage in the 23rd minute as Leigh struck once again. Rosener played a through ball between a pair of FDU defenders that hit Leigh in stride and the Holliston, Massachusetts native finished past the Knights goalkeeper to the lower left side.
Just before half, the hosts cut into the deficit as Noah Chia beat Jacomen with less than 90 seconds remaining before the break.
The momentum of the goal carried over into the second half as the Knights knotted the contest at 2-2 just 2:49 into the period. Diego Arribas scored a free-kick from just outside the box as a diving Jacomen nearly made a highlight reel save but couldn't quite keep it out.
However, Penn took the lead back for good in 70th minute after Stitz drew a foul in the box.
RC Williams stepped up to take the penalty and converted for the eventual match-winner.
#FightOnPenn
