Drexel Downs Saint Joseph’s In Men’s Soccer

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 10/15/2019 – The Drexel Dragons came into this game with a chance to have a share of the Philadelphia Soccer Six title. It was a key point of focus for the Dragons.

“It’s a local derby, it’s a Philly game, and we want to be good in these games,” said Drexel Coach Doug Hess. “We showed that.”

“Our first priority is the city. It starts in the city. It is a unique college environment. It’s the only city in the country that has six Division I teams that play soccer this closely together.”

In a soccer match where the second goal was a key determinant in the outcome, Drexel got that one to take a two-goal lead, and won 3 – 0 over the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Sweeney Field.

The Dragons took a 1 – 0 lead in the first half on a goal by midfielder Joey Martini in the 11th minute. Drexel knew how important the next goal would be. To get ahead by multiple goals is something the team looked for all year.

That decisive goal came for the visiting Dragons at the 51:20 mark Harrison Coron converted passes from Anthony Amore and Rodrigues da Palma, who had 2 assists for the game. For both Coron and Martini, it was their first collegiate goal.

“Totally,” Hess said about the second goal being the important one. “In games where we’ve had leads it was finding the second goal. They kept fighting until we got the third goal which ended the game. It’s trying to find that second goal and having the mentality to keep scoring the next goal.”

It put the Hawks in a position to have to play from further behind. Goals have been elusive for the Hawks this season.

“When you are down 1 – 0 you can come back, but once they scored that second goal, we worked hard but they realized that we are not scoring a ton of goals right now,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Don D’Ambra. “It hurts the momentum for sure.”

Drexel did not go into a defensive shell. Both teams kept attacking and it paid off for the visiting Dragons who finished the scoring in the 80th minute on a goal scored by Laolu Daranijo.

The visiting Dragons (5 – 5 – 2) outshot the Hawks by a 20 -16 margin, 6 – 5 on goal. Drexel goalie Stephen Kopsachilis made 5 saves recording his first shutout of the season. Joseph Boehm saved four.

Saint Joseph’s falls to 4 – 9 -1 for the year, and have not won in their last six games, five were defeats. The Hawks travel to Fordham on Saturday as the team still looks for its first Atlantic 10 victory.

“We have to regroup, mentally refocus a little bit,” D’Ambra said. “We have a conference game coming up against a talented team to get things back on track. The belief is taking a bit of a hit and we have to get that back again.”

Drexel has not lost in the last three games, winning twice. The three goal offensive output was their highest of the season. The Dragons return to CAA play hosting the College of Charleston on Saturday. The October 22nd game against Penn can decide who gets the crown. And it is a Battle of 33rd Street.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Drexel (in blue) on Offense

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