WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) scored his second goal of the season shortly before the halftime break to help lead the West Chester University men's soccer team (2-0-1) to hard-fought draw against a talented Wilmington (1-0-2) side on a hot and humid Wednesday evening at Rockwell Field.
West Chester found itself behind for the first time all season when Wilmington scored just 15 minutes into the contest but appeared unfazed as the Golden Rams ratcheted up their offensive pressure from this point, eventually finding the equalizer in the 42
nd minute.
In the 15
th minute, Wilmington opened the scoring, capitalizing on a perfectly placed through ball by Troy Paul, which found the foot of Jeremine Briquet, who was able to finish past a lunging
Daniel Good (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) and giving the Wildcats the early lead.
In the 19
th minute,
Josh Daniels (Fleetwood, Pa./Oley Valley) generated a strong chance up the middle for West Chester, but the Wilmington goalkeeper was able to come forward to make the play and keep the Golden Rams off the scoreboard.
Wilmington appeared as if it might double its lead a few minutes later with another great chance off the foot of Malthe Hannesbo, but Good made the leaping save.
Andrew Markopoulos (Drexel Hill, Pa./Msgr. Bonner & Prendie) followed it up with a stellar defensive play in front of the goal, blocking a shot attempt at the last minute to keep the score right where it was.
In the 42
nd minute, West Chester scored the equalizer after
Jack Dieffenderfer (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) won the ball in the midfield and carried it down into the side of the box before sending a perfect cross into the box. This cross found the foot of Komperda on the far post, and he put it away, evening the score at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.
Wilmington applied heavy pressure to the Golden Ram defense out of the break, but Good and company could clear the ball out of danger, keeping the score locked at 1-1.
Wilmington continued to pressure the Golden Ram defense throughout the second half, ending the second period of play with an 8-2 advantage in shots and a 5-0 lead in corners, but Good and the Golden Ram defense proved equal to the task on this unseasonably warm and humid day, holding on for a hard fought 1-1 draw against the Wildcats.
Wilmington ended the game with a 15-8 lead in shots and a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks, although the Golden Rams led the way in shots on goal with a 6-5 advantage in this category.
Both goalkeepers played well in the heat, as Good made a season-high four saves while his counterpart Bas Markus made five stellar stops to slow the ever-dangerous Golden Ram offense.
Up Next:
West Chester returns to action on Saturday afternoon against UDC beginning at 2:30 p.m. in game two of a doubleheader at Rockwell Field.
