Tribe Rebounds with 3-1 win over Temple

Redshirt freshman Alan Koger scored two goals in the W&M victory.

09/14/07 9:15PM

Norfolk, Va. - The William and Mary men’s soccer team rebounded from a disappointing performance a week ago, opening the ODU Stihl Soccer Classic with a 3-1 victory over Temple on Friday afternoon. After winning the classic title a season ago, the Tribe showed it feels at home at the ODU Soccer Stadium in Norfolk, Va., with an impressive showing against the Owls. W&M upped its mark to 2-2 on the year, while the Owls fell to 2-2-1.

“It was a very good performance overall,” head coach Chris Norris said. “I felt this was a good response to a disappointing weekend last week. We received goals from different players, which continues to be important for us. Despite giving up a penalty, I felt we were very solid in the back. Today was a positive step forward for us and hopefully we can keep it going Sunday.”

Earning his first career start, redshirt freshman Alan Koger did not take long to make his impact. The Spencer, Va., native tallied goals just 2:16 apart in the opening 20 minutes of the play to stake the Tribe to a 2-0 advantage.

W&M’s first marker came in the 17th minute of play on Koger’s first career tally. Junior midfielder Brock Jones gather a long ball and served a ball into the area after beating an Owl defender to the end line. Senior midfielder Doug Ernst flicked the ball on net but was denied by Temple goalkeeper Trevor Lyman. The rebound popped up and Koger was there to head the ball into the back of the net for the goal. Ernst tallied his second assist of the season on the play.

At the 18:46, Koger struck again to give the Tribe a little breathing room at 2-0. The ball was played out wide to Jones, who once again served a nice ball into the box. Koger beat Lyman to the ball for College’s second goal of the day. Jones tallied his fourth career assist and first of the 2007 campaign on the play.

The Owls pulled within a goal in the final four minutes of the opening half, earning a penalty kick. Joe Cartwright finished the spot kick, sending Temple to the locker room with the momentum.

W&M received a penalty kick chance of its own early in the second half of play to answer the Owls tally. A nice combo between Ernst and sophomore back Roger Bothe set up the chance. After Bothe played the ball wide to Ernst, he continued his run and Ernst curled the ball behind the Owl defense to set him free. Bothe touched the ball around an onrushing Lyman, but was taken down by the Temple goalkeeper, and W&M was awarded the PK. Jones calmly stepped to the mark and finished off the spot kick to push the W&M lead back to two at 3-1. It was his eight career tally and first of the season.

W&M owned the shot category over the Owls in both halves, outshooting Temple, 19-9, overall. The Tribe held a 10-5 cushion in the opening half and a 9-4 second-half advantage. Koger peppered the Owl goal with shots, leading the way with six, including five on goal. Junior reserve forward Nathan Belcher finished with four shots off the bench

After earning the first playing time of his career against Ohio State, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Andrew McAdams garnered his first career start against Temple. The Palm Harbor, Fla., native played the entire 90 minutes and finished with three saves, while allowing only the PK goal.

The Tribe will have the opportunity to capture the ODU Stihl Soccer Classic for the second straight season when it battles Ivy League foe Dartmouth (2-1-1) on Sunday, Sept. 16, at noon in Norfolk. The Big Green defeated ODU, 1-0, on Friday, setting up the winners’ showdown on Sunday afternoon. Dartmouth has captured three of the last five Ivy League titles.

Box Score