Philadelphia, Pa. (September 8, 2006)- John Cloud and Matt Tompkins teamed up for two goals to lead Philadelphia University to a 2-1 win over Manhattan in the first game of the Philadelphia Soccer Classic this afternoon at Saint Joseph's University.
Cloud put the Rams on the board first, at 14:57, when he knocked in a pass from Tompkins that was deflected.
In another in a growing number of signs that this young, but talented, team is starting to gel under second-year head coach Michael Swanwick, the Jaspers immediately picked up their intensity and responded to the tally with a goal of their own to knot the score at 1-1 at the 25:27 mark. Showing the leadership that comes along with being a two-year captain, senior
Tommy Lenhardt fed a perfect pass to sophomore
John Dellipriscoli (game-high five shots), who took the pass and connected from 12 yards out.
Manhattan held a 6-3 edge in shots as the team went into the locker rooms tied at 1-1.
The junior and senior laden Philadelphia side converted on a corner kick at the 54:31 mark. Tompkins played the ball to Cloud, who headed the ball in the upper left corner to give the Rams the lead, 2-1.
The gritty Jaspers would not go quietly, though, putting together a furious rally in the closing minutes, earning five corner kicks and tallying several good scoring chances, but Philadelphia goalkeeper Mike Wallover was up to the task, totaling four saves on the afternoon for the Rams (1-2) while
John Ciano stopped two for the Jaspers (1-5-0).
Manhattan put up promising offensive numbers, out shooting Philadelphia, 12-7, and holding a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
The Jaspers conclude play in the Philadelphia Soccer Classic on Sunday, taking on Saint Joseph's University at 11:00 a.m. in a game that will be played on the Philadelphia University campus.
