PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Andrew Markopoulos (Drexel Hill, Pa./Msgr. Bonner & Prendie) scored his first goal of the season just 10 minutes into the match, and the West Chester University men's soccer team (1-0-0) never looked back en route to a 2-0 victory over Jefferson (0-1-0) to open the 2023 season.
West Chester picked up its first shutout victory of the young season, which also gave senior goalkeeper
Daniel Good (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) his 18
th career shutout, which moved into solo first in program history in shutouts, passing Matt Palmer (2014-17) who he was tied with entering the season. Good also continued his climb up the career-win chart, notching his 32
nd victory, just one shy of a tie for third all-time with Joe Bocklet (1995-98) and just eight wins shy of the career-win record, held by Andrew Shafer (2001-04).
Markopoulos wasted little time giving WCU the early advantage, converting a PK in the 10
th minute, putting the Golden Rams out in front early.
A strong defensive effort kept the score right where it was for the next 60-plus minutes of action until
Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) notched his first collegiate goal off an assist by transfer
Ryan Jammes (Aldie, Va./John Champe), which extended the lead to 2-0 with just under 18 minutes to play in regulation.
Jefferson pressured the West Chester defense late, getting off a shot, which threatened the shutout in the final seconds, but Good punched it away for one of his lone save of the afternoon to keep the shutout intact. This save gave Jefferson a corner with just over 10 seconds to play, but the West Chester defense stiffened and ensured nothing came of this late corner attempt, holding on for the 2-0 victory to open the season.
West Chester and Jefferson were fairly evenly matched for much of the afternoon, with both sides taking six shots, although the visiting Golden Rams ended the game with a 4-1 lead in shots on goal. Despite the disadvantage in shots on goal, Jefferson did end the game with a 7-1 edge in corner kicks, including a 3-0 lead in this category in the first half of action.
Matteo Crescente worked hard between the Pipes for the Rams, making a pair of saves in an attempt to slow the West Chester offense on Thursday evening.
Up Next:
West Chester continues its non-conference slate against the CACC on Saturday when Holy Family visits Rockwell Field for the first home soccer match of the year beginning at 12 p.m.
