M. Soccer wins first two in Philly 7

Penn sophomore Stephen Kroculick's game-winning goal yesterday was not one for the highlight reel.

But somehow after a scramble inside visiting Drexel's 18-yard box, Penn's David Maier, came away with the ball, feeding it to Kroculick, who tapped it in for the victory.

Kroculick's goal was the culmination to an exciting weekend for the Penn men's soccer team. The Quakers went 2-0 in the Penn/KAPPA Classic, beating La Salle 4-0 on Friday and Drexel 2-1 Sunday.

At the first-ever Classic, Penn (3-1 overall, 2-0 Philly Soccer 7) hosted Princeton, Drexel and La Salle, christening the newly-renovated Rhodes Field.

The Quakers entered Friday's game with the Explorers, anxious to get off to a good start on their new home field. The game remained scoreless throughout the first half, until Penn freshman Richard Brushett score on a pass from fellow-freshman John Rhodes.

With Brushett's goal the Penn onslaught had begun.

Only five minutes later, Kroculick netted a goal off of a throw-in by freshman Eric Violante bringing Penn's lead to 2-0.

Maier added a pair of goals to the total, earning Penn its first win on the new field.

Following Friday's game, while Penn coach Rudy Fuller was satisfied with the result of the match, he still was less than pleased with the Quakers' poor start against La Salle.

"We didn't start out well," Fuller said. "We were not putting enough pressure on goal.

"But, we won the game for two reasons. One, we played better soccer and two, we are very well fitted, we wore them down."

The victory on Friday gave the Red and Blue the confidence they needed to come out strong on Sunday against a competitive Drexel team.

"It set the stage for this Sunday," Fuller said. "Drexel is a very good team."

Against the Dragons, Penn was the aggressor early, scoring the game's first goal with 10:36 elapsed in the first half.

Maier beat Drexel goalkeeper Jim Greco with sophomore Josh Duyan and senior Nathan Kennedy assisting.

The Dragons responded when reigning Philly Soccer 7 player of the week Pete Pittaoulis scored an unassisted goal.

The teams waged an intense battle for the remainder of the contest, culminating with Kroculick's goal.

The wins this weekend were important for the Quakers, as they will help Penn in its quest for a second Philly Soccer 7 title.

"It's a big rivalry, it makes it more important," junior goalie Matt Haefner said. "We got bragging rights."

Penn now stands 2-0 in the city series with upcoming games against Temple on Wednesday, Philadelphia University on Oct. 12 and St. Joe's on Nov. 6.

Wednesday's opponent, the Owls (3-4), seems to pose yet another threat to Penn's aspirations for a repeat title in the Philly 7.

Temple has won its last three games, including a 4-1 win over Philadelphia University last Wednesday.

"They've got players that can hurt you if you let them," Fuller said.

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