GLENSIDE, Pa. - Duncan O'Connor netted a pair of goals to lead the Arcadia University men's soccer program to its first MAC Freedom win of the season Tuesday night over visiting DeSales, 2-0. Both of O'Connor's tallies came in the second half as the Pennington, N.J. native has now posted 18 points in his last four games.
Matt Berndlmaier,
Zac Runkle, and
Daniel Tittelmayer were all credited with assists in the effort.
Goalkeeper
Jake Varrato made three saves in net en route to his third clean sheet of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Knights and Bulldogs played a fairly even first half with a heavy volume of midfield play to begin the match. A
Nathaniel Sellers header and
Zac Runkle shot on goal proved to be the best opportunities for the Knights in the first 45, but both chances were thwarted while Varrato made a pair of saves in net to result in a scoreless half.
-Arcadia broke through in the 67th minute to put an end to the scoreless tie when
Daniel Tittelmayer took the ball down the right side and fired a cross into the box where Runkle deflected it right to O'Connor at the left edge of the box before burying a right-footed strike past the keeper for the game's first goal. DeSales threatened to provide the equalizer in the 75th minute when Dimeji Oyinkolade's header looked to be ticketed for the net just under the crossbar, but Varrato made an incredible leaping save, punching the ball over top of the goal before the Knights cleared the ensuing corner kick.
-The Knights continued to ride the momentum late into the match, as an 80th minute free kick resulted in O'Connor's second goal of the night.
Matt Berndlmaier sent the ball into the box from 25 yards out on a direct line to a charging O'Connor who one-timed it past the outstretched keeper into the lower right corner of the net.
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KNIGHT LEADERS
-Goals: O'Connor 2
-Assists: Runkle/Tittelmayer/Berndlmaier
-Points: O'Connor 4
-Saves: Varrato 3
UP NEXT
Arcadia (5-7, 1-1 MAC Freedom) continues on in MAC Freedom play Saturday, hosting Misericordia at 5:30 p.m. from Jean Lenox West Field.