WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Owen Slack (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) scored on a free kick in the 60
th minute to break a 1-1 tie and lift West Chester (2-0) to a 2-1 victory over Holy Family (0-1).
This afternoon's match was tight throughout the day and saw all three goals scored in 10 minutes, with West Chester breaking through first in the 50
th minute thanks to
Frankie Taylor (Delran, N.J./Delran) and Holy Family answering back in the 56
th minute before Slack's game-winner in the 60
th.
"Certainly proud to get the win at home," opened head coach
Michael Benn. "Winning in college athletics is always tough, so I'm very proud that we found a way to get that done. Obviously, a 2-0 start is as positive as it can be, but we also know it is still early days, so we definitely have things we need to adjust and improve on."
West Chester ended the match with a 12-4 lead in shots and a 6-3 lead in shots on goal, while Holy Family finished the match with an 8-5 lead in corners.
In the first 45 minutes of action, West Chester and Holy Family engaged in a tight battle, with each side taking three shots, although the visiting Tigers ended the opening half with a 2-1 lead in shots on goal and a 5-3 advantage in corners.
The Golden Rams appeared as if they could take an early lead for the second time in as many games in the 11th when they got a pair of scoring opportunities off a corner kick, but the shots by
Ian Alicea (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Lower Moreland) and
Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) where blocked, which kept the match scoreless.
In the 50
th minute, Taylor opened the scoring for West Chester with a rocket of a goal from outside the box, which arced over the outstretched hand of Holy Family keeper Luke Shank to give the Golden Rams a 1-0 advantage.
The visiting Tigers found the equalizer moments later, breaking through in the 56
th minute with an open shot in the middle of the box, following a Golden Ram turnover to even the match at 1-1.
Slack helped West Chester answer back moments later with a long goal of his own off a free kick, giving West Chester back a 2-1 lead that the Golden Rams would never relinquish.
"We won the free kick right around 25 yards out," opened Slack when asked about his goal. "Those shots are something we work on before practice a few days a week, so I had some confidence going in, and it worked out the way we hope it does," said Slack.
West Chester generated another scoring chance in the final minutes of regulation with off a
Josh Daniels (Fleetwood, Pa./Oley Valley), but the chance went by the wayside as the score remained 2-1 in favor of the Golden Rams.
When asked about the balanced offensive attack, which has seen four players score goals to open the season, Coach Benn said, "The balance is great because it makes us harder to scout and prepare for if an opponent can't just focus one or two people. Hopefully, we can maintain that throughout the year and be a hard team to prepare for."
Daniel Good (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) moved into a tie for third in career wins with his 33
rd-career victory, making a pair of big saves to help guide West Chester to the victory. His counterpart, Shank, made four impressive saves of his own to keep his team in the match throughout the afternoon.
Up Next:
West Chester will have two more non-league tests next week ahead of its conference opener vs Shepherd on Wednesday, September 13.
"Two tough opponents waiting for us next week," acknowledged Benn. "Wilmington is always one of the top teams in the Nation and certainly presents a challenge, and UDC is always tough as well. We are excited for the challenge, especially because we know how hard league play can be starting with a tough Shepherd team, who is already 1-0 to start the year," said Benn.
