Penalty Kicks Befall Locals in Men’s Soccer Conference Tournaments

Temple and Drexel Lose in the Semifinal Round on Penalty Kicks

April 15, 2021 –

Two local men’s soccer teams began conference tournament play, but penalty kicks eliminated both Drexel and Temple. The Dragons fell 8 – 7 to top-seeded James Madison University in extra kicks at Vidas Field in the CAA Tournament. Three-seed Temple lost to 2nd seeded Tulsa 3 – 1 in the American Men’s Soccer post season. Each team played to a 1 – 1 draw after regulation and two overtime periods.

The Dragons faced #18 JMU in the first round at home. Chris Donovan gave Drexel a lead in the 15th minute of play. He sent the ball home on a one-time left footer. Axel Ahlander tied the game seven minutes later on a free kick. The teams ended the game with 14 shots apiece, but the Dukes kept the pressure on as Dragons goalie Stephen Kopsachilis made 8 saves.

After 10 rounds of kicks JMU won it by one.

Drexel finishes the season with a 6 – 3 – 2 record.

Boxscore

In Orlando, FL Temple battled Tulsa in a game that also went to penalty kicks to decide the outcome. The Golden Hurricane converted on their first two kicks while the Owls missed. Fabian Grant was good getting his team to within one, but Alex Meinhardt, who was named conference Offensive Player of the Year, ended it.

Tulsa had the advantage in the number of shots with 10. Temple outshot the opposition 5 – 2 in the extra periods. Eoin Gawronski made 2 saves for the Cherry and White as did Lucas Cline for the Golden Hurricane.

Tulsa scored the first goal of the game when Alvaro Torrijos found the back of the net with a one-timer from the top of the box in the 51st minute. That lead held until the 74th minute when Jalen Campbell tucked in a cross from Mickael Borger.

The Owls finish the year with a 5 – 4 – 2 record.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

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