WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Following an important 1-0 victory over Bloomsburg in its home opener on Saturday, the West Chester University men's soccer team (2-3-2, 2-2-0) returned to action on Wednesday seeking its second win in a row against PSAC East rival East Stroudsburg (4-3-2, 2-0-1) on Rockwell Field. After a scoreless first half, East Stroudsburg scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute, and the Warriors held off the Golden Rams for a 1-0 victory.
The first half was scoreless, but not for lack of chances;
Peter Tichy (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) had arguably the best chance of the half for West Chester when he tried a one-timer off a cross, but the shot went just wide, keeping the match scoreless 20 minutes in.
East Stroudsburg generated a great opportunity of its own when Matthew Johnson tried to finish a dangerous cross for the Warriors in the 36
th minute, but it went high to send the match to the half even at 0-0.
East Stroudsburg applied pressure out of the break and nearly scored in the 60
th minute when a shot by Jace Seara beat everything but the crossbar, and the follow-up chance by Steven Arias sailed high, keeping the game scoreless for a few more minutes.
After a 62nd-minute counterattack opportunity by
Michael Regan (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) was saved by East Stroudsburg keeper Phil Sykes, Jeter Cardona was fouled in the box in the 63
rd minute, sending Owen Rennie to the penalty spot. Rennie converted the chance to give the Warriors a one-goal lead they would never relinquish.
West Chester applied heavy pressure over the course of the final 27 minutes, with multiple shots and three corners in rapid succession as the clock ticked under 20 minutes to play, but the Warriors' defense, led by Sykes and his four saves, was equal to the task.
East Stroudsburg ended the match with a 14-10 lead in shots and a 5-4 lead in shots on goal, while West Chester finished the afternoon with a 7-6 lead in corners, including a 6-1 advantage in the second half.
Reigning PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week,
Jaden Howard (Townsend, Del./Middletown) made four saves in the setback, including three in the first half to slow the Warrior offense.
Up Next
West Chester will be back in action on Sunday against Shepherd beginning at 2 p.m. to finish off Homecoming Weekend in West Chester.
