Sept. 10, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Freshman Dan Korenyi scored the game-winning goal in the 66th minute and sophomore Ryan Richter punched in the insurance goal as La Salle shut out Soccer 7 rival Drexel 2-0 on Wednesday night. The win pushed the Explorers' record to 1-1-2, while the Dragons fall to 2-1-1.

A tightly contested and physical first half yielded no score for either team. The Dragons held a slim 7-6 shot lead going into the break.

Korenyi broke the scoreless drought in the 66th minute with his first collegiate goal. Senior Brian Barry crossed a free kick from the left side into the box and Korenyi cut through the Dragon defense to head in what proved to be the winning score.

Richter gave the Explorers some breathing room nine minutes later. Freshman Tom Kalpokas sent the ball from the left side to the top of the box and Richter lofted it through traffic and over the right side of Dragon goalie Cory Robertson.

Drexel had its chances in the second half, but could not convert its six shots including two corner kicks early in the second half. The Dragons came close again in the 75th minute when Fabio Assumpcio fired one in the direction of the Explorer net, but goalie Andrew Bernhard came up with the stop.

"Drexel has a very good program. (Coach Meehl) does a very good job with that team - they're very skilled, very technical. I think our kids accepted the challenge and really stepped up tonight," Explorer Head Coach Pat Farrell said.

The Dragons finished with a 13-12 shot advantage for the game. Bernhard - who finished the night with five saves - was credited with the shutout win. Robertson suffered the loss in the Dragon net and stopped four of La Salle's shots.

Nearly 1,000 Explorer fans were treated to the rivalry win after celebrating the home opener with a pre-game barbecue hosted by the La Salle Athletic Department.

The Explorers return to McCarthy Stadium on Saturday (9/13) at 7 p.m. as they host Delaware in the second game of a three-game homestand.