Box Score Box Score
LANCASTER, Pa. - A.J. Kopacz's second goal of the night came at an opportune time for Franklin & Marshall's No. 17 ranked men's soccer team as the sophomore forward's 95th-minute overtime marker handed the Diplomats a 2-1 win over Lebanon Valley.
The season-opening road victory improved the Diplomats to 1-0 while the Dutchmen fell to 0-1.
F&M began overtime on a tear, earning an early corner kick opportunity and following with a strong Shay Adamson shot that missed just to the left of the net. A Lebanon Valley foul led to a critical penalty kick opportunity for the Diplomats, and Kopacz capitalized with his second of the night for the game-winner.
Neither team found the back of the net during the first 45 minutes of play in the opening half. LVC went into the break with an 8-5 lead in shots and a 7-0 advantage in corners.
The Dutchmen lit the scoreboard first in the 59th minute with a free-kick opportunity from 20 yards out that landed in the bottom left corner of the net for the 1-0 edge.
That tally held until the 69th when Jack Brandt's free-kick from 40 yards out was headed into the right corner of the goal by Kopacz to even the contest.
An 8-4 margin in shots after the first half allowed F&M to lead for the game by a slight 13-12 clip. Kopacz scored on his only two shot attempts while Max Geuder and Adamson also added a pair of shots.
Goalkeeper Christopher Amoruso (1-0) recorded a pair of saves for the win while Brayden Fugini (0-1) suffered the loss after surrendering both scores and turning back three shots.
The Diplomats aim to keep rolling on Wednesday, traveling to Stockton for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.
