Posted by: Steve Mair
Junior Jeremy Ortiz would have the only La Salle goal of the game |
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Explorers battled through a rough game this Sunday, losing to Rider in a match that came down to the final minutes. After coming back from a 2-0 deficit with a late goal, La Salle tried to close the gap but ran short on time.
The two teams fought back and forth for nearly an entire half with no score. With 10 minutes left in the first period, Rider University's Mike Juska took a shot on goal that La Salle goalkeeper Andrew Bernard tried to cover up but could not keep his hands on. Juska then scored off the ensuing deflection. That would be the only score of the first half.
La Salle started off the second half fired up, but those flames would be stifled in the 55th minute by another goal from Mike Juska. The score came off a free kick by Juska from 25 yards out, which then put the Broncs up 2-0. The Explorers were down, but not out. After taking a pass from sophomore Brian Barry, Jeremy Ortiz dribbled through a crowd of Broncs to score a reviving shot with 20 minutes left in the game.
La Salle's goal boosted not only the Explorers' energy, but Rider's as well, pushing both teams as the game winded down. The clashing, however, caused an ugly last few minutes of the game. La Salle's Michael Colozzi got a yellow card for a foul in the 66th minute. A few minutes later, Rider's AJ Parillo and La Salle's Mike Lehr were then both ejected from the game with red cards, with Rider University midfielder Tim Jones also receiving a yellow card in the skirmish.
La Salle fought hard and kept the ball downfield for the rest of the second half, but would not find the back of the net again before running out of time, ending the game with a final score of 2-1.
The Explorers (0-1) look to get their first win of the season this week as they take on Lafayette this Tuesday night under the lights of McCarthy Stadium.
