Box Score
(Haverford, Pa.) – The Dickinson men's soccer team posted a 1-0 win over nationally-ranked Franklin & Marshall for the second Saturday in a row, this time earning a trip to the Centennial Conference Championship. The Red Devils battled the Diplomats throughout the entire match, scoring in the 74th minute for a chance to face top-seed Haverford College.
The Red Devils had a strong chance early as Will Bracken (Easton, Conn./Joel Barlow) slipped in behind the defense and went one-on-one with Trevor Britton, but the senior goaltender came up with a big save.
Ugo Okolie had a good look at the goal moments later but sent the shot high over the top. Dickinson answered as Alfred Hylton-Dei (Geneva, Switzerland/Mercersburg Academy) served a great lead pass to Matt Edmonds (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) but the defense came away with another big stop.
Edmonds followed up with another strong shot, but the ball went just high of the crossbar. The Devils continued to press and create chances. The Diplomats produced some strong counters but junior goaltender Jeremy Palcan (Park Ridge, Ill./St. Ignatius Prep) came away some strong saves on the other end.
Britton made another big stop on a high serve to the six yard box at the end of the half to keep the match level.
Dickinson manufactured back-to-back shots early in the second half but still could not produce the game's first goal. Both teams continued to have dangerous chances but the Devils would capitalize first, scoring off a corner in the 74th minute.
Senior Jonathan Harper (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) served a beautiful ball into the box that was headed from Macsen Pritchard (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep) to first-year Ward Van de Water (Warrenton, Va./Highland), who redirected the ball into the back of the net.
F&M countered with two quick chances, looking for the equalizer, but the Red Devils were able to hold.
Chase TenBrook slipped behind the defense and had a great opportunity to tie, but his shot sailed high with just under three minutes to play. Palcan finished with six saves to earn his seventh shutout of the season and second straight against the Diplomats.
The Devils were able to hold for the remainder of the match, advancing to Sunday's final with top-seed and host Haverford College at 1:00 pm.
