MADISON, N.J. – Gavin Rapp recorded seven points with a hat trick and an assist, leading the Lebanon Valley College men's soccer team to an exciting 4-2 victory over FDU-Florham on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Robert T. Shields Field.
The Dutchmen (10-2-2, 3-0-1 MAC Freedom) opened the scoring just 4:14 into the first half, taking an early 1-0 lead over the Devils (5-4-3, 2-3-0 MAC Freedom). The program got on the board when Rapp sent a shot into the lower-right corner of the net for a goal. LVC followed this by generating some more offensive opportunities, as
Nathan Kimball put a shot on target that was saved at the 6:53 mark and
Will Burton had a try go off the crossbar at the 7:11 mark. FDU-Florham countered with an attempt that was blocked and a shot that goalkeeper
Isaac Yerger saved for Lebanon Valley, within 21 seconds in the 12th minute. The Flying Dutchmen proceeded to register a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal over the next 16:08.
Lebanon Valley found the net again 27:51 into the contest, taking a 2-0 advantage. Kimball delivered an excellent corner kick into the goal box, which Rapp sent into the net for a goal. The Devils responded with a goal by Matthew Torres at the 28:38 mark, narrowing their deficit to 2-1. FDU-Florham put another shot on target at the 30:59 mark, but Yerger came through with a save for LVC. The Dutchmen scored once more before halftime, going ahead 3-1 at the 35:29 mark. Rapp continued his impressive performance by sending a header shot off the hand of the goalkeeper before the ball landed in the right corner of the net for a goal, courtesy of an assist by
Dom Beddia.
LVC remained aggressive offensively at the beginning of the second half, outshooting FDU-Florham 4-1 during the first 13:24 of the stanza. Lebanon Valley put another tally on the scoreboard at the 58:30 mark, claiming a 4-1 advantage. Burton extended the program's lead by kicking the ball into the left corner of the net for a goal, after an assist by Rapp. The Devils answered with a goal by Branden Ferreira at the 61:06 mark, making it a 4-2 game.
FDU-Florham proceeded to create more scoring chances as the second half progressed, logging a 6-0 advantage in shots over the next 10:49. During this stretch, Yerger recorded important saves for the Dutchmen at the 64:08, 65:10, and 71:55 marks. Yerger later made another stop for LVC at the 81:34 mark, and the program's defense blocked shot attempts at the 82:50 and 83:52 marks. Lebanon Valley went on to preserve its 4-2 lead through the end of the contest, securing its second consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Dutchmen are now 4-0-1 all-time against the Devils.
- Rapp posted game-highs and career-highs with seven points and three goals. The sophomore's third goal marked his second game-winner of the year. Rapp leads the MAC Freedom with 14 goals and 30 points. The forward also assisted Burton's goal. Additionally, Rapp tied a game-high six shots and registered a game-high five shots on target.
- Burton scored his second goal of the campaign and tied a game-high six shots.
- Beddia was credited with the assist on Rapp's game-winning goal.
- Kimball dished out an assist on Rapp's second goal.
- Yerger made a game-high seven saves, tying a season-high.
- Lebanon Valley outshot FDU-Florham 21-16 and had an 11-9 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Flying Dutchmen had a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Up Next
The Dutchmen will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 3:30 p.m., when the program will host DeSales University at Herbert Field.
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