VILLANOVA, Pa. – Trailing by a goal with less than 13 minutes remaining, the La Salle men's soccer team scored twice late to earn a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Villanova on Saturday in frigid conditions. Junior Sam DeCencio tallied the game-tying goal before classmate Omari Cotterell scored the game-winner.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Cotterell fired four shots early on, with two on goal, but Villanova goalie Carson Williams stopped both attempts.
• However, the Wildcats got on the board first in the 22nd minute on a goal by Branden Johns.
• The score remained 1-0 at halftime, but La Salle put the pressure on in the second half, outshooting Villanova 8-2 in the period.
• That pressure paid off in the 78th minute when DeCencio netted his fourth career goal on a feed from junior Charlie Collins to even the score at one apiece.
• All momentum was shifted from there as Cotterell found the back of the net on another Collins assist in the 88th minute for the go-ahead goal.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Explorers outshot the Wildcats 14-7 for the game, with a 7-5 shot on goal advantage.
• Junior goalkeeper Brett Werner made four saves to earn his sixth career win in between the pipes.
• It was La Salle's first win over Villanova since 2001 and first road victory over the 'Cats since 1999.
• Villanova just defeated Akron in an exhibition last week, a team that reached the NCAA College Cup Final just two seasons ago.
• La Salle comes away victorious in its season opener for the third consecutive season.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers will have a week of rest before heading to Seton Hall for a 3 p.m. match on Saturday, Feb. 20.