Philly Men’s College Soccer – October 21st Edition

The schedule is winding down, and conference tournament berths are on the line.  It makes each game more important for the Soccer Six schools.  The locals went 4 – 6 over the week.

Temple won their only game of the week defeating USF at the Temple Sports Complex 3 – 1 behind two goals by forward Sean Karani, who hit the game-winner the week before at Memphis.  The Owls are tied for second place in the American with a 2 – 1 – 1 league record. 

Villanova, Drexel, and Saint Joseph’s posted a win and a loss over the week.  Villanova won at La Salle 2 – 1 and Drexel went on the road and beat Saint Joseph’s 3 – 0 in city games.  It was a wild one for the Wildcats.  Seidu Shamsudeen scored a short-handed goal in the 88^th minute to provide the winning margin over the Explorers.  Theo Quartey tied the game in the 31^st minute converting a penalty kick.  Nova returned to Big East action, and fell on a goal by Marquette’s Connor Alba in the 87^th minute.  It was the first goal given up by Villanova at the Higgins Soccer Complex.  Drexel posted a shutout on Hawk Hill 3 – 0.  The Dragons got on top off a goal by Joey Martini, his first collegiate goal, and got the critical second goal from Harrison Coron, his initial college goal.  Drexel could not continue the momentum dropping a 2 – 0 decision to the College of Charleston.  It was the first time Drexel has been blanked this season.  Saint Joseph’s rebounded from the Drexel loss and won their first Atlantic 10 game of the year 2 – 1 at Fordham.  It was the first win for SJU since September 24^th.  David Grana and Alvin Dahn scored for Saint Joe’s.

La Salle and Penn did not find the victory column this week.  The Explorers fell to the Wildcats on a goal in the 88^th minute despite having a 15 – 5 advantage in shots.  The University of Pennsylvania lost twice and were blanked in both the UMBC and Dartmouth games.  Both times the score was 1 – nil.  Penn was beaten for the first time in Ivy play.

In the upcoming week a share of the Philadelphia Soccer Six title is on the line when Drexel hosts Penn at home.  The Dragons can tie for the crown with a win.  Villanova has a home game against Providence.  The Explorers, Hawks, and Owls hit the road.  La Salle takes a trip to the Capital Area to play George Mason.  Saint Joe’s can be on the same bus as they visit George Washington.  Temple steps out of conference with a game at Louisville.

Stay tuned, it gets really interesting from here.

Week of October 15 – 20, 2019

DREXEL 5 – 6 – 2 Overall, 2 – 3 – 1 CAA

Results – Won 3 – 0 at Saint Joseph’s, Lost 2 – 0 vs. Charleston

Summary – Laolu Daranijo scored the third Drexel goal at Saint Joe’s.  The Dragons lost a CAA game at home giving up two goals to Charleston’s Tucker Heffron, which wrapped up their conference home schedule.  There is still a Battle of 33^rd Street game on Tuesday at the Vidas Athletic Complex.  The Dragons are currently tied for sixth place in conference which awards six berths in the league postseason.

Next Game – 10/22 vs. Penn

LA SALLE 6 – 7 – 1 Overall, 2 – 3 – 0 Atlantic 10   

Results – Lost 2 – 1 vs. Villanova

Summary – Isak Sedin scored his second collegiate goal.  La Salle is presently tied for 8^th place in the A10.  There are 8 spots available in the conference tournament.

Next Game – 10/23 at George Mason

PENN – 4 – 5 – 2 Overall, 1 – 1 – 1 Ivy League 

Results – Lost 1 – 0 at UMBC, Lost 1 – 0 vs. Dartmouth.

Summary –The Quakers were victimized by goals in the 55^th and 58^th minute.  The game at UMBC was a defensive battle that had 8 total shots.  The Red and Blue sit tied for 3^rd place in the Ancient Eight.

Next Game – 10/22 at Drexel

SAINT JOSEPH’S  5 – 9 – 1 Overall, 1 – 4 – 0 Atlantic 10

Results – Lost 3 – 0 vs. Drexel, Won 2 – 1 at Fordham

Summary – The Hawks were outshot 22 – 7 by the Rams.  In the last two minutes SJU goalie Joseph Boehm made two critical saves to preserve the win.  Saint Joe’s occupied 9^th place in conference, one spot out of playoff qualification.

Next Game – 10/23 at George Washington

TEMPLE 5 – 6 – 1 Overall, 2 – 1 – 1 AAC

Results – Won 3 – 1 vs. USF

Summary – Esteban Suarez scored his first goal of the season, which was the important first goal of the game.  The Owls own a two-game winning streak in the league.

Next Game – 10/22 at Louisville

VILLANOVA 8 – 5 – 1 Overall, 1 – 3 – 1 Big East

Results – Won 2 – 1 at La Salle, Lost 1 – 0 vs. Marquette

Summary – The Wildcats won at least a share of the Philadelphia Soccer Six title by defeating the Explorers.  Villanova surrendered a goal at home to Marquette.  It was only the 8^th goal the Cats have given up this season.

Next Game – 10/23 vs. Providence