READING, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley men's soccer team improved to 4-0-0 on the road this year with a 1-0 victory at Alvernia University on Saturday afternoon to run the team's unbeaten streak to seven.
The Dutchmen (6-1-2) won a very physical game that had 24 total fouls and four cards. The Golden Wolves took the first shot of the game in the opening minute as the Dutchmen stepped in front of an attempt from the middle of the box, resulting in a corner kick. LVC successfully defended the corner as the teams continued the battle. The first card of the game was shown to an Alvernia player in the 10th minute. A minute later,
Nathan Kimball sent a shot from the left side of the box that just missed to the right. The teams traded shots over the next few minutes, with
Ryan Simonette making the first save of the game in the 16th minute.
Will Burton had a shot blocked in the 24th minute, leading to a corner kick. The Wolves were able to defend the corner without a shot to keep the game scoreless.
LVC started to find an offensive groove in the 37th minute.
Nathan Newsom had his shot kept out of the goal by an Alvernia defender, and then
Gavin Rapp had a shot saved by the keeper.
Tyler Wescott and
Jack Bowman had back-to-back shots in the 42nd minute, which were knocked away by the goalie, before a rebound attempt by Rapp missed high. LVC had another opportunity to score in the final minute of the half, but Newsom's attempt was pushed over the bar for a corner kick. The Dutchmen held a 10-5 shot advantage in the first half and controlled possession for 54 percent.
Both teams had shots saved in the first five minutes of the second half, with
Nathan Prex just missing for the Dutchmen. The Dutchmen put pressure on the Alvernia defense as
Charlie Kramer missed high in the 58th minute before
JJ Porter had a shot blocked and Prex missed high. The Dutchmen took the lead in the 61st minute as Prex scored his ninth goal of the year with Porter getting the assist. Porter took a shot that was kept out of the back of the net. Prex collected the rebound in the middle of the box and sent it past the keeper.
The Wolves pressed for the game-tying goal over the final 30 minutes. Right after the goal, they had a shot blocked, and a rebound attempt went high. Simonette made a save in the 64th minute. Prex nearly scored a second goal in the 69th minute, but his shot from just inside the box was saved. Rapp had his shot in the 81st minute saved, and then Prex's attempt in the 85th minute was kept out. The Wolves had an opportunity late to score the equalizer in the final minute. Simonette made a big save on a ball header to the upper right corner. On the following corner kick, Alvernia's shot went wide left as the Dutchmen posted another shutout.
Inside the Box
- Prex scored for the seventh consecutive game. He now has 39 career goals and 98 points. The senior took a game-high seven shots and put four on goal.
- Porter recorded his first career assist in his first career start.
- Simonette equaled his career-high of four saves while posting his second shutout.
- LVC had a 22-15 shot advantage, including 11-4 in shots on goal.
- Both teams took five corner kicks.
- The Dutchmen are unbeaten in the last 10 contests with Alvernia. LVC is 8-0-2, including three overtime wins.
Up Next
Lebanon Valley will make the short trip to Elizabethtown on Wednesday to face Elizabethtown College for local bragging rights. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. against the Blue Jays on Ira R. Herr Field.
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