HARRISONBURG, VA – IInclement weather forced an early conclusion to Sunday's match between Fordham and Drexel at Sentara Park, with officials calling the game in the 76th minute with the score tied 1-1. The weather-shortened draw left both teams searching for their first win of the young season.
First Half: Drexel Strikes First
The match started with both teams testing each other's defenses, trading corner kicks and fouls in the opening minutes. Drexel's Julian Pittaoulis proved to be the difference-maker in the first half, breaking through in the 19th minute with an unassisted goal to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead.
The goal came after a period of sustained pressure from Drexel, with Pittaoulis having already tested Fordham goalkeeper Ryan Foley with a shot in the 9th minute that was saved. The breakthrough moment energized the Dragons, who continued to press forward with Victor Moerck creating multiple chances, including shots in the 30th and 32nd minutes.
The first half was marked by physical play, with yellow cards issued to Drexel's John Shannon III (16:28) and Mateo Camejo (18:47), as well as Fordham's Lukas Gatti (18:47). Drexel's Max Haberl also received a caution in the 28th minute, while Fordham's Kamran Mojabi was booked in the 41st minute.
Second Half: Fordham Responds Quickly
Fordham came out with renewed energy in the second half and wasted no time equalizing. Just 51 seconds into the period, Daniel D'Ippolito found the back of the net with assistance from Daniel Lang, leveling the score at 1-1.
D'Ippolito was Fordham's most dangerous player throughout the match, registering four shots total, with two on target. His 57th-minute effort forced a save from Drexel goalkeeper Raphael Bartell, while Daniel Lang also tested Bartell with a shot in the 63rd minute.
The second half saw fewer scoring opportunities as both teams tightened their defensive shapes. Fordham's Ede Gramberg received a yellow card in the 49th minute, while Drexel's Christian Combs was cautioned in the final moments of the match.
Defensive Battles and Goalkeeper Performances
Both goalkeepers played crucial roles in keeping the score level. Fordham's Ryan Foley made four saves throughout the match, including key stops on shots from Pittaoulis, Moerck, and Morgan Worsfold-Gregg. Drexel's Raphael Bartell countered with two important saves in the second half to preserve the draw.
The match statistics reflected the competitive nature of the contest, with Drexel holding a slight edge in shots (10-7) and corner kicks (6-5), while Fordham committed more fouls (17-11), indicating their aggressive defensive approach to contain Drexel's attack.
Looking Ahead
The draw leaves both teams with mixed results early in the season. Fordham moves to 1-0-1 overall, while Drexel stands at 0-1-1.
Fordham will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Colgate on August 30 at 4:00 p.m. in Hamilton, New York. Meanwhile, Drexel returns home to Vidas Field in Philadelphia to host Northeastern on August 30 at 1:00 p.m., seeking their first win of the season.
Key Takeaways
- Balanced Attack: Both teams showed they can create scoring opportunities, with multiple players contributing shots on goal
- Defensive Discipline: Despite 28 combined fouls and seven yellow cards, both teams maintained their defensive shape when it mattered most
- Early Season Form: The competitive nature of this match suggests both teams will be factors in their respective conference races as the season progresses
The draw serves as a building block for both programs as they continue their 2025 campaigns, with lessons learned from this physical, tactical battle that will serve them well in upcoming matches.