Manful’s Late Goal Lifts Brandywine To USCAA Victory

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Senior Chris Manful (Baltimore, Md./Woodlawn) scored the match's lone goal late in the second half as the third-seeded Penn State Brandywine men's soccer team opened pool play at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Championship with a 1-0 victory over sixth-seeded Cincinnati-Clermont on Saturday afternoon.

Manful, who was named USCAA Player of the Year Thursday night, scored his USCAA-leading 27^th goal of the season during the 72^nd minute. His first shot was stopped by UCC goalkeeper Andrew Swaisgood, but Manful pounded the rebound off the hands of Swaisgood and into the back of the net to break the scoreless stalemate.

Brandywine's defense pitched its 11^th-straight shutout and 17^th overall this fall, led by a three-save effort from net minder Will Manarpaac (Boerne, Texas/Samuel V. Champion). Manarpaac, who improved to 9-0 and extended his shutout streak to 925 minutes, needed to make stops during the 81^st and 87^th minutes to preserve the Lions' 1-0 edge.

Scoring opportunities for both teams were limited throughout the match. Brandywine recorded the only two shots on goal of the first half, one each from Mateo Loyo (Portchester, N.Y./New Rochelle) and Jayden Barragan (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle), while Manful produced the Lions' pair of second-half shots. Manarpaac made all three of his saves during the final 45 minutes.

Brandywine (18-3-2) will face No. 2 Berkeley (N.J.) during its final game of pool play Sunday at noon. The Lions need a win or draw to advance to Monday's national championship match.