Men's soccer bounces back with big win

By Kevin Prendergast
Collegian Reporter
October 4, 2006

After a discouraging home loss on Friday to Rhode Island, the Explorers were ready to clear their heads of the resounding 6-1 blowout. Their first opportunity to do so would come on Sunday afternoon at home against UMass (6-4-1), and they would waste no time in taking full advantage of it.

The Explorers battling in a game from last season.

In the 13th minute of a scoreless match against their conference rival, the Explorers (5-5-1) would draw first blood on a header by junior Joe Heavey. Although this goal would prove to be the eventual game winner, La Salle was not ready to slow down its heated offensive attack. The Explorers wanted to prove to people that they are a legitimate threat in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and that Friday’s loss to Rhode Island does not tell the real story.

In the second half, the contest would heat up drastically, with four La Salle goals scored in that time, all by different players. In the 53rd minute, the Explorers would see an insurance goal come their way off the foot of sophomore Dan Heavey. He found the corner of the net after receiving an assist from junior Jeremy Ortiz.

In a span of 25 minutes, the Explorers would score four goals en route to a 5-0 victory. The remaining three goals were scored by freshmen Joey Foster and Kevin Lydic and junior Jeremy Ortiz. Ortiz had a stellar performance on the day, racking up two assists and a goal. Meanwhile, sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Bernhard tallied his second shutout of the young season.

As a result of this spirited performance by the Explorers, they have regained the confidence and high expectations for success in their A-10 season. This past weekend kicked off the Atlantic 10 schedule. As a result of the Explorers’ split in their two matches this weekend, they are in the middle of the pack in the A-10.

They look to build on Sunday’s impressive victory to give them momentum in upcoming matches. However, the road ahead does not look easy for La Salle. The next four matches are all on the road, against Richmond (5-5-2) and Charlotte (6-3-2). Both of these teams are 2-0 thus far in conference play. Also, they finish their four-game road trip with a match at undefeated Fordham (6-0-3), ranked 12th in the nation by the NSCAA.

Nonetheless, the Explorers have shown their ability to beat tough teams by dismantling UMass on Sunday and look to keep building on their winning ways.

Keep an eye out for the men’s soccer team as it prepares to hit the road this week to take on the Charlotte 49ers Friday night at 7 p.m. and Richmond this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Also, mark your calendars—the next match for the Explorers at McCarthy Stadium will be Friday, Oct. 20 against Xavier.

prendergastk1@lasalle.edu