Men's Soccer Splits First Two Games Against Adelphi and Lehigh

Heading into the season, the Fordham men's soccer team knew that it simply had to get off to a better start than in recent campaigns. Despite returning an experienced core after two successful seasons, the non-conference portion of the schedule has historically been difficult for the Rams.

Last year Fordham finished 9-7-3 overall with a third-place finish in the conference, but its overall record was impaired by a slow start. Considering last year's 3-5-1 non-league mark, the team has a clear area where it needs to show improvement. After last week's overtime loss to Adelphi and close win against Lehigh, Fordham's record now sits at .500.

"I'm not too sure why we are a slow-starting team, but after beating Lehigh, hopefully we can pick up some momentum going into a tough weekend," junior goalkeeper Ryan Meara said.

In the season-opening match, Fordham faced Adelphi, a team that has contributed to the Ram's season-opening troubles in the past. Playing at home, the Rams probably outplayed Adelphi, but in the end they came up short, falling 1-0 in double overtime.

Playing in front of the home crowd at Jack Coffey Field, Fordham outshot Adelphi 14-9, in an effort probably deserving no less than a tie. In the 107th minute, Adelphi sophomore forward Brandon Stoneham picked up a ball off a deflection and dribbled down the left side of the field and crossed it to an open Sam Varnaria, who knocked it past Meara.

Even if the game felt more like a draw, one breakdown is all it took to change the game. So close to a hard-fought tie, the Rams may have been feeling déjà vu after the early loss.

  "We would've liked to beat Adelphi or at least tie, but I think we outplayed them," Meara said. "We were just unlucky to give up a sloppy goal."

Fordham's next game was a trip to Lehigh over the weekend. The Rams faced a very similar situation as last year when they traveled to play another Patriot League team, Lafayette. That particular game was not a good one for the them, as they lost 2-0.

This time Fordham secured a hard-fought 1-0 win, playing its trademark tough, defensive-minded soccer, though they were outshot badly.

Sophomore midfielder Doug Hanly did the scoring honors for Fordham, taking a cross from freshman forward Julian Nagel and heading it inside the far post in the 51st minute.

"The goal was created due to good work by [sophomore midfielder] Andre Seidenthal who eventually played the ball to Julian Nagel," Hanly said. "Julian then played a perfectly placed ball to me on the near post which made it easy for me to flick it to the back post."

The defense, which is still incorporating a few new players, would keep Lehigh off the board the rest of the game. Facing a furious Lehigh push to get an equalizer, Meara made five of his seven saves after Hanly's goal.

"After the goal, the defense and Ryan really stepped up to keep the lead," Hanly said.

Fordham now faces two of the tougher games on the non-conference slate on a road trip to the Midwest this weekend. The Rams travel to No. 20 Louisville on Friday before heading to Cincinnati on Sunday, two very difficult games.

"They are definitely going to be two tough games, but we are confident we can beat anyone if we play our game," Meara said.