Bronx, N.Y. – Behind second half goals by
Joergen Oland and
Janos Loebe, the Fordham men's soccer team won their home opener on Wednesday night, 2-1, over the Marist Red Foxes on Jack Coffey Field.
With the win, Fordham improved to 3-2-1 on the year, while Marist is now 3-3-0.
Things did not go well for Fordham in the first half, as Marist struck first in the 16
th minute. Allen Gavilanes put a perfect cross into box from the left side, finding Samad Bounthong for his second goal of the season on a shot from six yards out.
Marist continued to be the aggressor in the first half, but Fordham goalkeeper
Rashid Nuhu kept the Rams within one, making four saves in the period.
The Rams then got the break they needed in the 62
nd minute.
Owen Lawrence, who came on a sub, connected on a long ball from midfield to the right side of the box.
Joergen Oland got on the end of that pass, and put the ball past Marist goalkeeper Mark Rajovic for his first tally of the year.
Fordham then grabbed the lead in the 81
st minute at 2-1.
Matt Miller got deep into Marist territory, reaching the endline. He crossed the ball back near the top of the box, where
Jannik Loebe quickly slid a pass to
Janos Loebe on the right side. Janos then took a shot that just snuck inside the left post for his third goal of the season.
Janos Loebe celebrates his third goal of the season.
Marist tried to get the equalizer in the 84
th minute, on a good run by Gavilanes. However, Fordham defender
Matthew Lewis shut the door with a perfect challenge to stop the run, and clear the ball away.
The Rams would hold strong over the final five minutes to close out the 2-1 win. After being outshot 8-4 in the first half, Fordham outshot Marist, 8-2 in the second half, while each team had four corner kicks.
Nuhu finished with five saves in the win, while Rajovic made four for the Red Foxes.
The Fordham men's soccer team will next be in action on Saturday, September 16
th, when the Rams play at Quinnipiac, beginning at 1:00 PM.
