PHOENIXVILLE, PA- The University of Valley Forge Men's Soccer team played opened the week with a match home against Penn State Wilkes Barre.  With both teams looking to achieve their second win of the season, Penn State showed their determination early but it would be UVF that would capture the win, 5-4.

A goal at the 1:24 mark by Ryan Patrick enabled Penn State to jump out to an early lead, however Valley Forge responded in a big way.  Selom Dodoh, Preston Saunders, and Kevin Carbajal all scored before the first 10 minutes of the game had passed, putting the Patriots up 3-1.  The lead would be short lived however, as Penn State Wilkes Barre would put in 3 more goals of their own, all scored by Patrick, before the end of the half.  Each team utilized all players on the field in order to mount their offensive attacks, in a fast paced first half of soccer that ended 4-3 in favor of the away team.

It was a matchup of speed versus strength, and strength prevailed for the first 45 minutes…however the home team was not to be denied.  Ryon McGinness struck a beautiful shot on a free kick to bring the score back even again at the 67:30 mark.  Wilkes Barre would put together a flurry of shots, testing goalkeeper Zach Barbieri and the rest of the Patriots defense repeatedly as time was beginning to wind down.  As is usually the case in a close game, all it takes is one great play to tip the scales of victory one way or another.  Valley Forge was the fortunate orchestrator of that play, with a pass by Carbajal being put on the left foot of Selom Dodoh for the go ahead goal with less than 3 minutes to play.  A late shot by Ryan Patrick was saved by Barbieri with 30 seconds left, and the Patriots held on to the lead to win 5-4.  Barbieri recorded 10 saves on the day, as the Patriots figured out how to slow down the unyielding attack of Ryan Patrick as the game wore on.

Head Coach Vernon Dorsey had this to say after the game, "Zachary Barbieri played a great game in goal.  After a chaotic first half, we made minor adjustments, played more consistently and won the game.  Matt Blankenship was moved to center mid and did a fantastic job in the second half.  Matt Robinson was the Man of the Match.  He shut down the left side of the field from outside back and initiated a number of attacks after winning the ball."

The Patriots host Davis College for their next game, Wednesday, October 1.  Kickoff is set for 4PM.

Go Patriots!