WEST CHESTER, Pa.-The West Chester University men's soccer team (0-0-1) kicked off its 2024 season on Thursday afternoon against a familiar foe in Jefferson (0-0-1). Opening its season against Jefferson for the third year in a row, West Chester moved to 1-1-1 against the Rams in the last three meetings, playing to a physical 1-1 draw vs its non-league visitors.
Maksym Komperda (Whitehall, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) scored the first goal of the match in the waning seconds of the first half off a long throw by tri-captain
Phil Udo-Inyang (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) and a well-placed touch from one of the Golden Rams other captains
Tommy Bodenschatz (Royersford, Pa./Spring Ford).
This goal was not enough to lift West Chester to its 13
th victory over Jefferson and sixth season-opening win under Coach
Michael Benn as Diego Guzman evened the score in the 58
th minute off an assist from TJ Hibsman.
Making his collegiate debut,
Alexi Amanatidis (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./The Shipley School) acquitted himself nicely, making one big save and coming off his line well multiple times to keep the Rams offense in check. His counterpart, John Nelson also played tremendously well in some of his first collegiate action, making four big saves, all in the second half to keep the West Chester offense at bay.
The Golden Rams late goal came at the end of a half, which saw the play primarily occurring in the midfield and Jefferson attacking third as the visiting Rams pressured WCU throughout the first half of play.
Komperda's goal was the lone shot on goal of the first half as West Chester ended the first 45 minutes with a slim 3-1 lead in shots in addition to its 1-0 advantage in shots on target.
In the 53
rd,
Peter Tichy (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) nearly doubled the lead with his first goal of the new year but Jefferson keeper John Nelson made a strong diving save to deflect the shot away. The deflection found its way to Komperda but the chance arced high over the goal to keep the Golden Ram lead at 1-0.
Just seconds after Jefferson evened the score at 1-1, Gabe Paz looked to give Jefferson the lead with a shot from distance after a quick turnover off the restart but it curved wide to keep things tied.
Over the final 30 minutes of play, the physicality, which had been prevalent throughout the match continued but play began to settle back into the midfield with neither defense allowing significant opportunities on goal down the stretch.
Jefferson nearly netted the game-winner with just under 30 seconds to play off a corner as captain Marco Senatore came up from the back and rocketed a shot from the far corner of the box, but the chance went harmlessly wide as the final seconds ticked away of a 1-1 draw between the two non-league foes.
West Chester had the better of the play through the second half, finishing the game with a 14-6 lead in shots and a 5-2 lead in shots on goal, while also ending the game with a 6-5 lead in corners.
Up Next:
West Chester returns to action on Saturday afternoon at Holy Family beginning at 12 p.m.
