Men's Soccer Downed in Opener by Fairleigh Dickinson, 1-0

Friday, August 30

Vidas Field

4:00

Drexel University

0-1

Fairleigh Dickinson

1-0

FDU

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Men's Soccer Downed in Opener by Fairleigh Dickinson, 1-0

8/30/2013 6:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Despite looking like the faster, more prepared team for most of the day on Friday, the Drexel men's soccer team dropped its season opener to Fairleigh Dickinson, 1-0. The Knights, who were also playing their first game of 2013, got an 84th minute goal from Godfred Baafi to erase a strong outing by the Dragons, who outshot FDU 14-8.

Nathan Page and Ken Tribbett, both Preseason All-CAA selections, had four shots each for the Dragons. Drexel managed five shots on goal, but each were corralled by the Knights' goalkeeper Jacob Lissek. Drexel senior Pentti Pussinen, who missed nearly the entire 2012 season with an injury, had three saves in his season debut.

The Dragons controlled play for most of the first half, beating the Knights to balls and holding possession for the majority of the period. They were able to get a few good looks, but none were better than the one-two punch they threw at Lissek in the 30th minute. With space, senior Mark Donohue fired a rocket that Lissek deflected away but could not wrap up. The ball floated in front of the goal, bouncing right to Page in front of the net. Last year's Philadelphia Soccer Six Player of the Year had a chance for his first score of the season, but could not beat Lissek, who dove back to make the stop and push the ball out of harm's way.

Later in the half, Donohue once again had a strong scoring opportunity when he worked one-on-one with the Knights' Nicholas Walker down the middle of the field. As he crossed into the box, however, Donohue lost his footing and was unable to get off another challenge to Lissek.

After an aggressive first half, the second half turned more defensive, with neither team able to put a serious shot on goal over the period's first 35 minutes. Then in the 84th minute, after successfully negating two Fairleigh Dickinson corners, the Dragons could not knock the ball out of their own box, seeing it trickle to the top of the box where Baafi waited. The junior got a foot on the ball and fired a rocket from 20 yards out, finding the upper left corner beyond Pussinen's reach.

Fairleigh Dickinson was able to withstand Drexel's late charge as the Dragons tried to tie the game up. Drexel had one more chance in front of the net in the final moments, but the Knights were able to keep Drexel off a loose ball in front of Lissek as they survived with the road victory.

Drexel will be on the road itself for its next game, Sunday afternoon at Seton Hall. The Dragons and Pirates will kick off at 1:00 p.m.