PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle kicked off this weekend's Drexel Invitational with a tough loss to visiting Howard University.  Despite relentless shots on goal and persistent offense from the Explorers, Howard's precision won out at the end of the day with a 2-1 victory over La Salle. 

 

The first score would come at the hands of Howard's Nasheed Sabree just 5 minutes into play.  Sabree squeaked in a near side post shot after getting an assist from Jason Gross, who cleared the ball downfield from Howard's goal.  That shot would end up holding the score at 1-0 for the majority of the first half.

 

The Explorers saw a surge of hope at the end of the first period, however, when a corner kick from Jim Davis found the head of junior Joe Heavey, who sent the ball to the back of Howard's net in the 39^th minute of play.  

 

La Salle's precision would not match their effort in the second half, although, as the Explorers would outshoot Howard with a staggering 15 shots.  Howard, on the other hand, took only 2 shots in the second half, which is all they would need to close out the day.  With 30 minutes left in the game, Howard's Jason Gross would earn his second assist of the game, dishing a cross to Joel Senior, who scored from 30 yards out with a far post chip shot that La Salle goalkeeper Andrew Bernhard could not reach in time.

 

The remaining minutes of the game would lead to some heated encounters, with a total of 6 cards being issued in the entire game.  Three yellows would go to La Salle, while Howard received two, as well as a double-yellow card ejection.

 

The La Salle Explorers will close out this weekend's tournament with a match against the University of Maryland Baltimore County on Sunday at 12pm.