CHESTER, Pa. – Jake Herron netted two goals, including the golden marker in the 96th minute, to lift Lebanon Valley to a 2-1 victory over the Widener University men's soccer team in the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth opener for both schools on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Leslie C. Quick Stadium.
Widener (4-6-1, MACC 0-1) dominated the match by outshooting the Dutchmen, 23-12, and holding a commanding 10-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. After the Pride attempted the first four shots of the match, Lebanon Valley (4-6, MACC 1-0) got on the board first when an aggressive Herron stole the ball from a Widener defender and went in all alone against unprotected junior goalkeeper
Jonathan Rouse (New Freedom, Pa.). His shot to the upper 90 of the goal in the 16th minute gave the Dutchmen a 1-0 advantage at the break.
The Pride continued to send a barrage of shots at Lebanon Valley goalkeeper Cam Avery, who made seven saves in the first half alone, and finally broke through when senior
Zac Furia (Morton, Pa.) picked up a loose ball in the box and rifled a to the left corner of the net to tie the match in the 72nd.
Widener had a golden opportunity to score the go-ahead goal when
Tori Remondelli (Point Pleasant, N.J.) unleashed a shot to the right corner of the net, but the ball clanked off the post and the rebound attempt by freshman
Dylan Pratzner (Wallingford, Pa.) was blocked by a Dutchman defender. A Remondelli drive off a free kick with five seconds remaining went high, and the teams were forced to settle the score in overtime.
In the extra session, Widener controlled play and attempted the first two shots that were saved by Avery. Lebanon Valley, however, ended the match when Herron received a long pass from Tyler Skye. The senior evaded one Pride defender and then beat Rouse with a shot that landed in the back of the net.
Lebanon Valley's Avery turned away eight shots in the match to pick up the victory, while Rouse made two saves in the loss for Widener.
The Pride will quickly regroup and look to get back in the win column when they visit Albright on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
