PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team closed out Philly Soccer Six action on Tuesday night, topping Temple 1-0 on the road.
Oliver Pratt lifted Penn to victory, scoring his third goal of the year in the 84th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Temple.
Quaker Notemeal
*Penn's offense was all over the pitch in the battle, recording 11 shots on goalkeeper Preston Neal compared to Temple's one shot on goal.
*Defender Pratt's tally accounts for his third game-winner of the year.
*
Connor Dawson,
Phillip Falcon III,
Malachi Neal, and Pratt played the full 90 minutes in the battle.
*These Philly foes got a bit chippy in the match as three yellow cards were handed out.
How It Happened
The game started off slow as the first shot didn't come until ten minutes in when
Aiden Frick tried to head one in that goalkeeper Neal easily saved. The next shot of the battle wasn't registered until seven minutes later when
Marco Bottene slammed it towards the right of the post.
Sophomore Bottene almost hit the back of the net off a diving play off a pass from Frick in the 21st minute, but keeper Neal stifled the ball before any damage could be done. Temple didn't record its first shot in the battle until halfway through the period, as Teo Stranded rocketed it towards Falcon, but it soared high above the goal before the junior had to do any work.
The Owls tried to muster some offense in the 35th minute from Paolo Kampula, but a Quaker blocked his shot. The Red and Blue amped up the energy in the 42nd minute as
Michael Howard and
Owen Sullivan tallied back-to-back shots, but Temple's keeper made the save. Right as time was expiring, junior Sullivan slammed another shot that resulted in a corner but not much could be done to hold the game scoreless heading into the break.
Penn exploded coming out of the break, recording six shots between the 49th and 52nd minutes, highlighted by shots on goal from
Gavin Seele, forward Howard, and
Jack Wagoner that were all saved by goalie Neal.
Phil Pak tried to keep the pace going a few minutes later, shooting the ball right at Neal, who pushed it away before it could hit the back of the net.
The Owls recorded their first shot of the half in the 59th minute, as Strand had a wide-open net, but defender Dawson kicked it away before it could cause any harm. A card on Sullivan three minutes later gave Temple a free kick, allowing Strand another attempt, but freshman Pak blocked the shot to shut down the play.
Midfielder Bottene tried to make a statement when he subbed back into the contest, striking the ball right above the crossbar.
Romeo Dahlen nearly scored in the 69th minute off a header, but keeper Neal made his tenth save of the outing to hold the battle at zero.
With time dwindling,
Patrick Cayelli tried his first shot of the night, but it ultimately went to the right of the goal into the netting. The pace of the game shifted in Penn's favor in the 84th minute as senior Pratt found the back of the net to give the Quakers the lead and the 1-0 win.
Up Next
The Quakers (5-2-3, 1-0-1 Ivy League) hit the road this weekend, heading to Brown for a 1 p.m. Ivy League showdown.
#FightOnPenn
