Freshmen Spark Brandywine To Victory

PHOENIXVILLE, Pennsylvania -- Penn State Brandywine received all three of its goals from freshmen as the Lions' men's soccer team claimed its first victory of the season by a 3-1 count over Valley Forge on Thursday night.

Josh Burton (West Chester, Pa./PA Cyber Charter), Dan Tyler (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) and Fornodson Pierre (Philadelphia, Pa./Olney Charter) all scored their first collegiate goal for the Lions, who improved to 1-3.

Tyler netted the lone goal of the first half when he found the back of the net off a feed from Bill Walleekendeh (Chester, Pa./Chester) during the 14th minute.

After Valley Forge knotted the score at 1-1 early in the second half, Burton put Brandywine in front with a 56th-minute score. Tyler assisted on Pierre's insurance goal that came with just under 15 minutes remaining in regulation.

Brandywine registered 11 shots on goal and attempted all three of the game's corner kicks. Freshman Joe Opdenaker (Lenni, Pa./The Christian Academy) played the final 45 minutes in net, making four saves to earn the win. Sophomore Pat O'Neill (Morton, Pa./Ridley) stopped both shots he faced during the opening stanza.

Brandywine returns home Saturday when it begins PSUAC play against Penn State Beaver at 4:30 pm.