Statesmen Rally for 3-2 Win Versus Friends
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Leonardo Teixeira (Sr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Business Management) provided a huge spark off the bench to extend William Penn’s winning streak as the Statesmen won 3-2 over Friends in a non-conference men’s soccer matchup at the William Penn Classic Friday.
William Penn (4-1) has won four in a row for the first time since 2010 and is three games over .500 for the first time since 2008.
It was not without quite a battle; in fact the Statesmen had to produce a big rally to win yet again. The Eagles (2-1) jumped out to a 2-0 advantage after goals in the eighth and 17th minutes, but WPU did not flinch.
The hosts held a slight 11-10 edge in shots, including two during a play where they recorded their first goal. Facundo Manzanares (Fr., Cordoba, Argentina, Business Management) rebounded a shot that went off the left post and buried it in the netting for his second goal of 2013 in the 33rd minute.
Although he was unable to add to his team lead in goals, Angelo Kelly (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) was part of plenty of action. The sophomore set up the equalizer by earning WPU a penalty kick when his shot in the box was knocked down by an opponent’s hand.
Kelly, who led his team with three shots, was hurt on the play. That opened the door for Teixeira to step up and take the free kick, in which he knocked in to tie the game at 2-2 at 53:58. The goal is Teixeira’s first this year.
Just a few minutes later, Mark Dryden (Sr., Arbroath, Scotland, Biology) centered the ball in to Teixeira who put a solid boot on it. The ball ricocheted off an Eagle player for an own goal, but no matter how it went in the book, it still gave William Penn its first edge of the night.
The defense, paced by goalkeeper Pedro Pereira (Fr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Communications) and his three saves, smothered the Eagles down the stretch for the win.
“You never want to start a game like that, but the way we fought back to win was great to see,” Interim Head Coach Raphael Martinez said. “We never gave up, and even down 2-0 we still believed we could earn a good result.”
“Bringing Leonardo on made a huge difference,” Martinez added. “His energy and passion was felt throughout the team. This was a great come-from-behind win; I am very proud of these guys.”
Next: The Statesmen close the William Penn Classic Sunday by hosting Midland (Neb.) at 3:30 p.m.
