Kelly’s Goals Heads WPU Past Ottawa 3-1

William Penn University Athletics

Ottawa, Kan.–Angelo Kelly (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) assisted on his squad’s first three goals of 2013, but finally broke through himself Saturday to guide the Statesmen in a 3-1 victory over Ottawa in non-conference men’s soccer action.

William Penn (2-1) outshot the Braves 15-9 overall, but really dominated the first half with an 11-3 edge. The visitors took advantage of their chances with a pair of pre-intermission goals, including Facundo Manzanares (Fr., Cordoba, Argentina, Business Management) notching his first collegiate goal unassisted at the 7:54 mark.

Kelly then got into the action less than six minutes later, scoring his first goal of the year at the 13:11 juncture. He was assisted by Cem Olgar (Fr., Duesseldorf, Germany, Industrial Technology) and Mark Dryden (Sr., Arbroath, Scotland, Biology).

Ottawa narrowed the lead in the 37th minute, but then both sides went into a scoring drought. Kelly finally put the contest away with another goal, this one unassisted at 75:50. The sophomore was joined by Olgar and Brendan Johnson (Sr., Clinton, Iowa, Physical Education) with a team-high three shots.

Goalkeeper Pedro Pereira (Fr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Communications) tallied two saves in improving his record to 2-0.

It is the first time the program has been above the .500 mark since being 8-7-1 on October 23, 2010.

“I want to congratulate my team for a well-deserved win against a very difficult opponent,” Interim Head Coach Raphael Martinez said. “Ottawa was very physical, but we were able to match that with some great soccer. From the first whistle, we were the aggressors and the two early goals were a testament to that.”

“We can only enjoy this win for a short time as we have a tough game against Avila tomorrow,” Martinez added.

Next: William Penn concludes the weekend by traveling to Kansas City, Mo. to face Avila in a non-conference matchup at 4 p.m.