The University of Pennsylvania men’s soccer team played Drexel to a 3-3 draw on Tuesday night at Rhodes Field in Philadelphia. The Quakers were down 3-1 at halftime but came back with goals from sophomores Marco Bottene and Michael Howard, both scoring their first collegiate goals late in the second half.
Midfielder Bottene recorded a career-high three points with a goal and an assist. Senior Patrick Cayelli also had three points, matching Bottene’s output for the match. Cayelli played the full 90 minutes, along with teammates Connor Dawson, David Howard, and Malachi Neal.
Joaquin Niehenke made his first start of the season during this game. The match saw five yellow cards and 20 fouls between both teams.
Drexel scored early when Victor Moerck found the net in the third minute. Penn’s first shot came in the tenth minute by Cayelli but was saved by Drexel keeper Owen Moore. John Shannon III added another goal for Drexel in the 14th minute.
Penn got on the scoreboard after Bottene drew a penalty, which Cayelli converted to make it 2-1 before halftime. In the closing minutes of the first half, Morgan Worsford-Gregg scored for Drexel off a free kick.
After halftime, Niehenke tested Moore again but was denied. Drexel threatened to extend their lead as Tiago Lima-Bittencourt advanced downfield, but Penn’s Howard managed to keep them from scoring again.
In the 71st minute, yellow cards were issued to both teams. A throw-in by Owen Sullivan led to Howard passing to Bottene, who scored his first collegiate goal and cut Drexel’s lead to one. Four minutes later, Cayelli delivered a free kick that Howard finished off a pass from Bottene for his own first career goal, tying the score at three.
The final portion of the game remained tense with additional fouls and another yellow card issued to Drexel in the 87th minute. Both defenses held firm until time expired.
The Quakers (1-2-2) will continue their home stretch on Saturday, September 20 against Air Force at Rhodes Field.
