The University of Pennsylvania men’s soccer team began a four-game homestand at Rhodes Field on Friday night, losing 1-0 to VCU. The defeat moves Penn’s record to 1-2-1 for the season.
VCU took the lead in the 17th minute when Deniss Hayes scored. Penn goalkeeper David Howard matched his career-high with five saves out of six shots faced during the match.
Marco Bottene made his first collegiate start for Penn and led the offense with two shots. Patrick Cayelli, Connor Dawson, Malachi Neal, and Erickson Sakalosky were responsible for all of Penn’s shots on goal. Defenders Dawson and Neal, keeper Howard, and Oliver Pratt played the entire match.
In the opening minutes, Sakalosky had an early attempt saved by VCU’s Trevor Maloney. Ten minutes later, Howard made his first save against Nikita Hayes. Shortly after, VCU capitalized on a defensive error to score through Deniss Hayes.
Dawson attempted to equalize soon after but was denied by Maloney. In the 32nd minute, Bottene hit the crossbar with a shot. As halftime approached, Joaquin Niehenke sent another shot over the net.
During the second half, Howard stopped two more attempts from VCU in quick succession. Michael Howard missed high for Penn in the 61st minute; Cayelli followed up seven minutes later with a shot that was caught by Maloney.
Hayes tested Howard again in the 70th minute with consecutive shots that were both saved. In the closing stages of regulation time, Romeo Dahlen and Pratt each managed efforts on goal but could not break through VCU’s defense.
Penn will continue its homestand on Tuesday, September 16 against Drexel at Rhodes Field.
