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Looking to build on Sunday's win over Virginia Tech, the Fordham men's soccer team opened their home schedule on Friday against Yale at Jack Coffey Field. An early goal by
Ryan Walsh and a second half marker by
Ryan Cupolo was all Fordham would need, as the Rams posted a 2-0 shutout of the Bulldogs.
With the win, Fordham improves to 2-1-0 on the season, while Yale goes to 0-1.
"It's good to open at home with a win and a shutout," said head coach
Jim McElderry after the game. "We did not play our best tonight but give credit to Yale for making it tough. "
After an early flurry by Yale in the first few minutes that saw two defender saves by Fordham, the Rams pounced on a counterattack to net the game's first goal.
In the seventh minute,
Michael Stalker carried the ball down the right side of the field, and put a cross in to the left side of the box. The ball just missed hitting Fordham's
Jon Agostino in front of the goal, but it did hit
Ryan Walsh on the left side, who put the ball in the net from seven yards out for his first goal of the year.
Fordham's defense would hold Yale off for the rest of the half, as
Alex Naples had two saves for Fordham.
The score remained at 1-0 until in the 72
nd minute, where Fordham capitalized on a perfect set piece on a free kick.
Nathaniel Bekoe took the free kick from just in front of the Yale bench. The ball would hit a leaping
Ryan Cupolo right on the foot, which angled the ball right into the goal for his first collegiate marker. The Rams now have five goals this season from five different players.
"We are getting goals from many different players so far, which is the way it needs to be for us," said McElderry.
Fordham's defense would hold up the rest of the way, posting its first shutout of the season, despite 10 Yale corner kicks and a 9-6 shot advantage for the Bulldogs.
Naples finished with three saves in goal for Fordham, while Yale's Blake Brown had two stops.
The Fordham men's soccer team will next be in action on Tuesday, September 10
th, as the Rams head to Boston for a 4:00 PM match at Northeastern.
