PHOENIXVILLE, PA - The Valley Forge Christian College men's soccer team found themselves on the losing end of one of the most exciting soccer games in recent years. In their season opening kick-off tournament, hosted by Holiday Inn Express Frazer-Malvern, the Patriots welcomed the Falcons of Davis College (Johnson City, NY). Davis would outlast the Patriots in the end, and come away with the double-overtime victory, by a 4-3 final score.
The Davis College Falcons got on the scoreboard early, netting a penalty kick past Patriot goalkeeper Robert Taylor in the first 5:00 of play. The Falcons would add two more goals in the first half to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The second half of play would get the best of both teams, as fatigue would set in, but the Patriots muscled through their aches and pains and found themselves slowly gaining momentum and climbing back into the game. VFCC senior midfielder Matthew McKenzie would net his first goal of the season just minutes after the halftime break to bring the Patriots to within two goals.
Patriots senior midfielder, but first year player Jacob Baldwin, netted his first career goal in the 69:00 minute to bring Valley Forge to within one goal. Baldwin was one of many highlights today, playing solid defense and grabbing more than his fair share of 50-50 headers.
In the 76:00 minute, forward Jonathan Manning, VFCC sophomore and first year player tied the score, capping the Patriot comeback. Manning led the team today with six shots and three shots on goal during todays contest.
Valley Forge keeper Robert Taylor tallied seven saves on eleven Davis shots on goal, and was outstanding in his freshman debut in the Patriots net.
Freshman forward Ryon McGinness recorded two shots on goal, but could not find the back of the net today, as did freshman midfielder Matthew Robinson who added an additional shot on goal for the Patriots. Freshmen Zabdiel Peter, Joshua Wolf and Aaron Bishop found offensive statistics as well, each recording a shot in their debut.
As a team, the Patriots showed a lot of heart today, willing themselves back into the contest after finding them in a three goal deficit at the midpoint. Statistically, they were bested in most categories, losing the shots 21-17 and shots on goal 11-8. Davis College also led in corner kicks 6-3 and the net-minders tallied saves 7-5.
The Patriots will face Penn State Hazelton (Hazelton, PA), who fell to Christendom College (Front Royal, VA) earlier in the day by a 6-0 final, in the tournament consolation game at 11:00 am, tomorrow, Saturday, August 31. Davis will meet Christendom in the championship game beginning at 1:00 pm.
Go Patriots!
