BRONX, N.Y. – The Fordham men's soccer team emerged victorious in its 2024 home opener on Sunday afternoon, taking down Colgate, 3-2, at Moglia Stadium.
Three different Rams found the back of the net for the first time this season, as
Daniel D'Ippolito,
Andre Insalaco and
Lukas Hackaa each recorded their first goals of the campaign.
Thomas Gray,
Jack Sias and
Luke Pompliano provided assists in the win.
The Rams are now undefeated in their last nine home matches (6-0-3) dating back to the start of last season.
Colgate (2-2) jumped out to an early lead in the 13th minute, as
Carter Abbott acrobatically saved an initial penalty kick try from Alex St. John but was unable to neutralize the rebound.
Fordham (2-0-1) equalized just over 20 minutes later, as D'Ippolito recorded his first goal of the season on a brilliant strike. Following a failed clear attempt by a Colgate defender, the junior came into possession at the top-right corner of the 18-yard box and promptly blasted a right-footed shot just inside the far post to even the score at one.
Just a few minutes after the intermission, the Rams jumped in front thanks to a heads up play from Insalaco. Gray played a long ball into the attacking third which took a high bounce off the turf just outside the box. The Colgate goalkeeper came charging out of his position to try and grab the loose ball, but Insalaco flicked it with the outside of his foot into the back of the net from 20 yards out.
With just over 15 minutes to go in the match, the Rams took a two-goal edge as a result of some brilliant ball movement. Pompliano began the sequence with a long run through the middle of the field before playing it out wide on the right for Sias. Sias then sent a cross through the box that found the foot of Hackaa on the far side, and the graduate student buried the point-blank chance to give Fordham a 3-1 lead.
Colgate narrowed its deficit to one goal in the closing minutes, but the Rams held on for their second straight victory.
Fordham will return to action on Thursday night at Moglia Stadium when it plays host to Santa Clara. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
