Penn Defeats Villanova, 2-1, on Two Stephen Baker Goals
PHILADELPHIA – Penn completed its run through the Philadelphia Soccer Six with a convincing win at Villanova on Sunday, downing the Wildcats, 2-1, to improve to 3-2-1 overall and 3-0-0 inside the PS6.
The first two goals of the match were redemption of sorts for Stephen Baker, as the sophomore found twine twice after a snakebitten affair on Friday at Rhodes Field.
All throughout the second half on Friday night in Penn’s 1-1 tie with Georgetown, the coaching staff kept sending positive reinforcement Baker’s way as he sent nine shots towards goal and came very close to providing Penn with a late win. Those positive vibes carried over to Sunday’s opening half as Baker scored twice to provide the Red and Blue with a 2-0 lead at the break.
His first goal came as he finished off a crossing play in the box, a one-timer to give Penn the lead in the first 15 minutes of the match. In the 26th minute, Baker scored again, finding space in close and going high for his second of the day.
In the second half, Penn had a few looks to add to its lead, with goof offerings from Baker and Christian Barreiro that were inches wide. Villanova closed to within one late in the match on a goal from Emerson Lawrence on a penalty kick following a foul and yellow card to Jake Levin in the box. Lawrence scored on his penalty, but ended up hurting his team by standing over Max Kurtzman and taunting after the score and earning himself a red card. The Wildcats were forced to play the final few minutes of the match a man down and could not generate any offense.
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