Penn men's soccer celebrates after a goal against Dartmouth on Oct. 26.
Credit: Zach RodgerIn a clash of colors, the Red and Blue prevailed over the Big Green with a 3-2 triumph on senior day. In fitting fashion, it was three seniors who made the difference on the night. No. 20 Penn men’s soccer’s win over Dartmouth (5-6-3, 2-2-1 Ivy) protects its perfect record at Rhodes Field during regular season play.
The Red and Blue (11-2-1, 5-0 Ivy) got off to a quick start with the first goal scored just two minutes into the match when a Penn corner deflected off the Dartmouth defense and found senior forward Stas Korzeniowski. Korzeniowski was able to hook the ball cleanly into the back of the net for his 11th goal of the season.
“I’m so glad that I was able to put my stamp on the game as early as I did, and that also builds confidence in the group to keep chasing another goal,” Korzeniowski said.
Dartmouth gained some momentum with dangerous positioning in the box in the eighth minute but were unable to capitalize. Another opportunity for the Big Green arose following a pass between Penn defense that was intercepted, but the shot went wide. After more back and forth and few shots on goal, the silence was broken when a cross reached Penn sophomore midfielder Jack-Ryan Jeremiah in the box, but the following shot was parried by Dartmouth goalie Costi Christodoulou.
With 20 minutes remaining in the half, Penn offense picked up speed with a series of threatening possessions in the box. A chaotic few minutes of Quakers control ended with nothing to show for their efforts, when a foul called on Penn senior midfielder Brandon Curran cut the Big Green a break, allowing them to clear the ball from further dangerous opportunities for the Quakers.
In response, a dangerous cross found Dartmouth forward Trenton Blake, but Penn sophomore goalie Phillip Falcon III was able to secure the save.
The game slowed down momentarily, with both teams’ defensive efforts preventing any threatening opportunities despite the back-and-forth, physical nature of the game.
Penn’s patience paid off when a yellow card on Dartmouth defender Sebastián Mañón, drawn by Korzeniowski, resulted in a free kick for the Quakers. With just under five minutes left in the half, the kick found freshman forward Romeo Dahlen, who was able to dish it to senior defender Leo Burney inside the six for a shot that extended the lead for the Red and Blue.
The second half started slow, with possession by both teams but little activity near goal. There was no doubt, however, that Dartmouth was looking to increase intensity and make up their deficit. The first shot of the half came from Penn junior forward Jack Wagoner, missing wide. On the counter, Dartmouth forward Douglas Arveskär got off a shot on goal that Falcon was fortunately able to get a hand on.
Junior defender Oliver Pratt prepares to get on the field in the game against Dartmouth on Oct. 26.
The Red and Blue were not as lucky with the next Dartmouth shot though, when Dartmouth forward Vasilis Moiras was able to find the back of the net from far out in the 54th minute. Just 10 minutes later, a quick shift to Dartmouth possession and slight breakdown in Penn defense meant Moiras was again able to take advantage yet again, tying the game for the Big Green with a second goal.
With 25 minutes left in the match, the Quakers’ offensive efforts again were rewarded when a perfectly placed corner found Curran, who was able to finish from the center of the six.
The Big Green attempted to retaliate with another shot from Moiras headed for the top center of the net, but Falcon was able to protect the Quakers’ lead with another save. Minutes later, Moiras tried again from far left, but the shot went straight to Falcon.
Penn dropped back with under 10 minutes left, and the Red and Blue defense was able to hold off the last ditch efforts of the Big Green. In the last three minutes, the Quakers regained control of the ball and were able to comfortably finish the game, defending their undefeated record at home and clinching coach Brian Gill’s 50th career win for the program.
“5-0 [in Ivy play] is as good as it can get five games in. And we want to host the Ivy League tournament here, so we also want to go and win the regular season,” Korzeniowski said. “Our approach is the same as it has been every game, taking one game at a time, slowly climbing the mountain, and hopefully we find ourselves in the position that we’ve been aspiring to.”
The Quakers have lofty goals and have two more Ivy battles to conquer, with a game at Yale on Saturday next up.
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