Ebbesen's Pair of Goals Lift Men's Soccer Over Bucknell, 2-0

Tuesday, September 18

Vidas Field

6 p.m.

Drexel University

5-1-1

Bucknell

2-3-2

BUCKNELL

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Ebbesen's Pair of Goals Lift Men's Soccer Over Bucknell, 2-0

9/18/2018 8:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – The fireworks were on display at Vidas Field on Tuesday night as the Drexel men's soccer team got a pair of goals from leading scorer Mathias Ebbesen to defeat Bucknell, 2-0. The second multi-goal game of the year for Ebbesen, combined with goalkeeper Stephen Kopsachilis' third shutout of the season, lifted Drexel (5-1-1) back into the win column after its first loss of the season on Saturday.

Ebbesen now has six goals on the year, the most for any Dragon since Nathan Page put in nine in 2012. The senior from Norway also had two goals in the win over NJIT on Sept. 8.

Early on, it was Bucknell taking most of the possession and putting some pressure on the Dragons' back line. The Bison got off five first-half shots, though only one tested Kopsachilis, who finished with three total saves in the shutout. Drexel, which had trouble early getting the ball into its offensive zone, managed just three shots in the opening 45 minutes.

The last of those struck gold, however, as Ebbesen made it a 1-0 game with 39 seconds remaining before halftime. A loose ball in front of the net eluded the grasp of Bucknell keeper Ryan Ott, and bounded its way to Ebbesen six yards out. He had to deal with a high hop, but his sweeping shot sent the bouncing ball back towards the goal mouth and in for the goal.

After a shutout loss to James Madison on Saturday, the goal seemed to release some pressure for the Dragons, who came out in the second half and took control. It was now Bucknell struggling to bring the ball into the box offensively, and Drexel dictating the pace of play while fireworks could be seen over the trees in the direction of the Philadelphia Zoo. In the 62nd minute, the Dragons earned one of six second-half corners. Francisco Rodrigues da Palma, who was also in the middle of the action in front of the net on Ebbesen's first goal, inserted the ball with a beautiful curving cross. Ebbesen got above the defense and sent a header just under the crossbar for his sixth of the year and second of the night to provide the final score.

With five wins already under their belts, the Dragons will now look to get on the board in Colonial Athletic Association play. Drexel hosts Elon in the finale of its four-game homestand on Saturday afternoon. That game gets underway at 4 p.m., following a ceremony honoring the 1988 East Coast Conference champions.