Three Goals In Second Half Lead Temple To Victory
Ambler, Pa - The Temple Owls men’s soccer team came back and defeated the Rider Broncs 3-1 Tuesday afternoon at the Ambler Sports Complex. The Temple Owls improved their undefeated record to 3-0-1 after the performance. The loss for Rider marks their first of the season dropping their record to 2-1-0.
Temple found themselves trailing 1-0 after a first half dominated by Rider. The Owls were able to draw seven corners in the first half, but it still seemed as if Temple had no control. Halftime adjustments by head coach David MacWilliams, however, led to a change of possession control and shots. Ultimately it showed on the scoreboard.
Ryder sets up for a free kick - PSD Photo
Sophomore, Dinho Zwane grabbed his first career goal to knot the game up at one a-piece in the 58th minute of the match. Zwane was assisted by Belal Mohamed. The goal seemed to be the turning point of the game for the Owls.
Temple took the lead and didn’t look back in the 74th minute of the match. Zwane found the feet of his teammate Jorge Gomez Sanchez who took over from there. Sanchez moved around the goalkeeper who came out almost to the edge of the 18 yard box and found a way to slip the ball past him and into the net.
“The outside back, he lost the ball, and [Zwane] assist to me, and the goalkeeper ran toward me and I drew him, and I shot and I scored. Their center back pushed me but I was able to keep up and [then able] to score,” said Gomez Sanchez after the game.
Gomez Sanchez added a second goal on his day via the penalty kick after a Rider player caused a foul in the box in the 76th minute of the match. These were the third and fourth goals of the season for Gomez Sanchez.
The Owls trailed 1-0 after a goal by Rider Bronc, Sonimi Halliday in the 12th minute of the match. This was Riders only goal of the game. The first half was largely controlled by the Broncs in the shots and possession charts.
“I think they all knew we were down and we pointed out some things and made some adjustments and said, ‘hey, we did it against Northeastern, it’s a game, let’s see what we’re about’, and the guys responded,” said MacWilliams afterward. “This team is very coachable. Everything we’ve asked them to do they’ve done. Some of the guys didn’t have great games today, but they picked it up the second half.”
Temple sets up for a free kick - PSD Photo
Temple goalkeeper Alex Cagle was awarded with the win after saving five of the six Rider shots on goal in the game. Rider goalkeeper was credited with a loss saving only four of Temple’s seven shots on goal.
The Owls finished the game outshooting Rider 11-9 (after trailing 5-3 at half). Temple also had the advantage of shots on goal at 7-6 and corner kicks at 10-3.
The Temple Owls continue their home stand Sunday afternoon at the Ambler Sports Complex when they host the Yale Bulldogs out of the Ivy League at 3pm.