Senior defender Sam Wancowicz's goal wasn't enough to beat Drexel in the Battle for 33rd Street.
Credit: Peter RibeiroA hard-fought match ended in defeat for Penn men's soccer, who came into Saturday's game against Drexel seeking their second win of the season. Although the 2-1 loss was disappointing, the game provided the youthful Quakers something more valuable: experience.
Penn (1-6) conceded two goals within two minutes of one another, both scored by Drexel's Sebastien Cabral in the 16th and 18th minutes.
"We're getting punished in those little moments," Penn Coach Rudy Fuller emphasized after the match. "We have to put a full 90 minutes together."
After digging themselves a 2-0 hole early, the Quakers continued to fight to work their way out of it. The Quakers only goal on the night came off the foot of senior captain Sam Wancowicz, who scored off a corner kick by finishing a cross to the near post with a first-touch shot around the keeper early in the second half.
Penn pressured the Dragons (1-4-1) throughout the match, outshooting them six to four in the first half and ten to three in the second.
"I think we had some chances for the second [goal], but unfortunately it didn’t fall in for us," Fuller said. "This [performance] is certainly something to build on going into the Ivy opener against Cornell next weekend."
The team displayed resilience on Saturday night as the Quakers fought to claw their way back, even if they ultimately came up short.
Fuller also commended the play of the freshmen in the match, citing how far they have come since the start of the season.
"Guys like Wes Maki, Jake Kohlbrenner, and Alex Touche continue to grow and develop," Fuller said. "I think they are still gaining experience, but they're further along than they were game one."
Despite falling to 1-6 on the season, the team will take away many positives from Saturday night's loss. Still, Fuller continues to preach the importance of putting together 90 minutes of quality soccer.
Penn will look to get back in the win column this Saturday against Ivy League rival Cornell.
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