William and Mary traveled to Philadelphia, Penn. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 to compete against Drexel. After a slow start to the evenly–matched Colonial Athletic Association game, both teams were able to pick up their momentum, but ultimately the Tribe (0-4-2, 0-1-1 CAA) dropped the game to the Dragons (3-3-1, 1-1-0 CAA) 2-1.
Despite a scoreless opening lasting 45 minutes, the Dragons were able to break the silence, scoring the first goal of the match at the start of the second half. Dragons forward Yassine Elhahloun found himself free along the right side of the box. In spite of the Tribe’s defensive efforts, the Dragons’ offense broke through thanks to defender Anthony Amore’s score to the right side of the net.
By the 75th minute, Tribe freshman goalkeeper Kieran Baskett was instrumental in denying Dragons midfielder Kyle Tucker a key penalty kick — keeping the College’s score deficit at one rather than letting it grow.
However, just a minute later, the Dragons answered offensively again, doubling its lead to 2-0 with a free kick. Dragons forward Chris Donovan was able to flip a header over top of the Tribe defense and into the center from six yards out, with the assistance of Tucker.
With the game heating up in the 79th minute, the College was able to answer the Dragons’ success with a penalty kick. Sophomore midfielder John Eberle was shoved down along the right side of the penalty area and was consequently awarded the penalty kick. Breakout freshman forward Alexander Levengood successfully converted the penalty kick into his third goal of the season, bringing the score to 2-1.
Despite a promising attempt at a comeback, the College ultimately failed to equalize the score in the 86th minute. Freshman midfielder Nathan Messer found space along the left flank and sent a cross into the middle of the six, but fellow freshman forward Diba Nwegbo’s header ended up just high of the crossbar.
Most notably, the Tribe started five freshmen for the fourth-straight match, of which Baskett and Levengood have shown constant promise of their abilities. For Baskett, he was able to stop his first career penalty kick in this match.
The Tribe will return home to compete against Loyola (Md.) on Tuesday, Sept. 24th at Martin Family Stadium, with kickoff at 7 p.m.