Men’s soccer picks up first win against Manhattan

It was a tale of two halves for the men’s soccer team in its 3-2 win against Manhattan in the team’s home opener on Tuesday.

“First half I thought we looked pretty good, second half I don’t think we looked good at all,” coach David MacWilliams said.

The Owls did just enough to capture their first win of the season. However, MacWilliams said he wasn’t pleased with his team’s effort.

“We were lax and didn’t compete well,” MacWilliams said. “We failed to defend.”

Redshirt sophomore Chas Wilson netted his first two goals of the season in the 22nd and 33rd minutes. Junior Vaughn Spurrier assisted both of Wilson’s tallies.

“I think that’s what [Wilson’s] forte is,” MacWilliams said. “He stays in the box, redirects some balls and finishes.”

Freshman Dalton Andrusko’s first collegiate goal ended up being the game-winner for Temple. Andrusko found net in the 41st minute when Jared Martinelli, another freshman, assisted him on a corner kick. Martinelli recorded two assists on the day.

“The goalie came out to punch [Martinelli’s] cross away but it was curling so much that I was left alone to just tape it in with my head,” Andrusko said. “I was ecstatic about my first goal. I was just happy to help the team in any way.”

Manhattan was able to cut Temple’s lead to one when sophomore Naru Park’s shot drilled the post and slowly rolled into the net.

Junior goaltender Bobby Rosato, making his return from a stress fracture, saved the day with a huge stop on a penalty kick assessed to Manhattan sophomore Jake Scavetta. Rosato was not expected to return until this weekend’s West Coast swing to California. He spelled sophomore goalie Dan Scheck in the 53rd minute.

“I didn’t expect to come in,” Rosato said. “I was kind of nervous because I didn’t get to warm up but it felt great coming and getting a big save right off the bat.”

Rosato, who fully expects to play this weekend, said he’s almost at 100 percent.

“I still have a little bit of bruising, so it’s more of a contact pain,” Rosato said. “I’m almost at full mobility and strength.”

With the Owls first win of the season, they improved to 1-1-1 on the year. They will head out to California this weekend for match-ups against Cal-Poly and Cal. State-Northridge. Manhattan fell to 0-5-0 on the season.

Tyler Sablich can be reached at tyler.sablich@temple.edu.