MEDIA, Pa. - The Dickinson men's soccer team got a first-half penalty kick goal from
Chaz Smith, but it would not be enough as the host Penn State Brandywine netted a goal in each half to pick up a 2-1 non-conference win on Thursday evening at the Brandywine Soccer Field in the season opener for both sides.
The Lions wasted no time getting on the board as Lex Smith setup Chris Manful for the opening marker just 35-seconds in. Dickinson tried to answer back a minute later when
Ethan Jarden looked for his first as a member of the Red and White, but Elijah DeBooth turned him away. The Devils kept the pressure on with shots from
Saul Iwowo,
Geoffrey Ogenrwot, and Jarden. However, they all missed the mark. In the 29th minute DC was on the front foot again with
Chris Hackley forcing a DeBooth save, before Smith sent an offering wide. Dickinson got their breakthrough two minutes later as DeBooth spilled a rebound off a shot by
Luke Beiles which led to a PSU defender bringing down the attacking player resulting in the penalty. Smith then stepped to the spot and buried his first of the campaign to knot the match. DC had one other shot during the half when
Will Flannery was stopped by the keeper.
The Lions once again went looking for the first-minute goal, but Devils keeper
Andrew Kempe denied Manful with just 15-seconds off the clock. Dickinson's first shot of the half came in the 53rd as Iwowo blasted one over the cage. Three minutes later PSU found the eventual game-winner when DC conceded a penalty leading to a tally by Alex Bernal. Over the ensuing ten-plus minutes Iwowo and Smith would miss the mark keeping the score at 2-1. Then, in the 74th-minute Will Dittenhoefer took over for DeBooth and was tasked with trying to preserve the win. He would be called into action twice during the rest of the match once each by
Meron Tekeste and Iwowo allowing the Lions to escape with the win.
Lions Leaders
Goals - Bernal and Manful (1)
Shots - Manful (3), Smith (2)
Saves - DeBooth (4), Dittenhoefer (2)
Devils Leaders
Goals - Smith (1)
Shots - Iwowo (5), Smith (3), Jarden (2)
Saves - Kempe (2)
Next on the Pitch
The Red Devils have their home opener on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. when they host the Giants of Keystone College.
