Although the marketing team might still be in offseason mode, the United League kicked off spring play a few weeks back and the German Hungarians started 2-0. Here’s a recap of our 2 wins.
March 28 at Lancaster City FC
It’s always a difficult trip out to Lancaster, made even more difficult after a tough cup loss. For whatever reasons, there’s always lots of overtime being worked, family parties, and vacations whenever we travel out to Lancaster. We made the trek out with a group of 13, but it was a strong 13.
We started the game on the front foot and were up 1:0 within five minutes. Bob Hennessey pressured their backs into a mistake, he then played in Matt McDonald who curled in a first time effort with the outside of his foot that gave the goalie no chance. With goals like that, it’s easy to see why he was Division 3 National Player of the Year and on a recent professional trial.
About ten minutes later, the two combined again. After a long ball out from goalie James Brett, Bobby won the second ball, he played Matt into the channel and was first in the box to slam out Matt’s cross from short range. 2:0 U.G.H.
2:0 at halftime when it should have been more. Matt tacked on his second in the 50th minute to make it 3:0 and the game was essentially over. We should have added more but saw it out comfortably. I think we focus shifted on the Lancaster markets and chicken pot pies instead of the normal adult beverages. We’ll take the 3:0 win on the road to start the spring out in Lancaster.
Scoring Summary
06′ U.G.H. 1 Lancaster 0 Matt McDonald (assist – Bob Hennessey)
17′ U.G.H. 2 Lancaster 0 Bob Hennessey (assist – Matt McDonald)
55′ U.G.H. 3 Lancaster 0 Matt McDonald – (unassisted)
Shutout – James Brett
April 7 at Phoenix
After a week off for Easter the guys were back at it against an improved Phoenix side. Again, struggling with numbers we were working the waiver wire. Phoenix has been an easy win the last few seasons, but many of their recent U23 sides have now moved up to the Major group and it shows.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon after a few days of heavy rain. The grounds keeping crew was hard at work leading up to the game and the field was in decent condition considering the weather leading up to the game.
The first half was back and forth with no real chances of note. We were probably in the ascendency but failed to create much in the attacking third with the final ball / decision not up to the level needed.
The breakthrough came early in the second half. After a good corner in, Pat Raykovitz laid it off inside the box for Mac Curran to step into and give the keeper no chance. We kept putting the pressure on and it eventually led to a second. We forced a turnover in the attacking third and Gabe Dwyer played an incisive ball to Noah Saba who rounded a defended and curled it in the far post. 2:0 to UG.H.
Phoenix got one back in the 90th minute and came close a minute later but we held on. 2:1 to U.G.H.
Scoring Summary
53′ U.G.H. 1 Phoenix 0 Mac Curran (assist – Pat Raykovitz)
75′ U.G.H. 2 Phoenix 0 Noah Saba (assist – Gabe Dwyer)
90′ U.G.H. 2 Phoenix 1
Jason Karasow
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sunday April 14 - We will travel to Northeast Philadelphia to play Lighthouse. 2:30pm kick off at Southampton and the Boulevard.
LaSalle Univ. Men’s Soccer Alumni Events
We don’t typically use this forum to promote non-U.G.H. activities but there are a lot of LaSalle Univ. soccer alumni on this list and I wanted to help spread the word. The LaSalle Univ. Soccer program has three upcoming events that could use alumni support. Let’s make sure we are doing our part to ensure the soccer program has the resources and support they need to be successful.
Day of Giving – TODAY Wednesday April 10
https://give.lasalle.edu/give/569661/#!/donation/checkout
Alumni Game / Post Game Festivities – this Saturday April 13
https://forms.gle/HqwMLDjwUrDei9Ja8
Bill Wilkinson Golf Outing – Monday April 29
https://give.lasalle.edu/event/bill-wilkinson-memorial-golf-outing-2024/e568569
