Over the course of three pivotal Atlantic 10 (A-10) matchups, the Fordham men’s soccer team demonstrated why it continues to stand tall among the conference’s elite. From a pair of home shutouts against the University of Dayton and Duquesne University to a rain-soaked, emotionally charged battle in St. Louis, the Rams showcased their blend of discipline, leadership and mental toughness.
It didn’t take long for Fordham to set the tone at home on Wednesday, where the Rams edged Dayton 1–0 in a tightly contested A-10 showdown. Graduate student forward Luke Pompliano struck less than three minutes into the game, pouncing on a loose ball after a Dayton miscue and calmly slotting the winning shot home, his third goal of the season.
The early breakthrough allowed Fordham to play on its own terms: compact, composed and methodical. The Flyers fought to reclaim control, earning six first-half corners, but did little against Fordham’s organized defense anchored by graduate student goalkeeper Tristan Stephani, whose steady hands proved decisive, making a key save in the 73rd minute to secure his fourth shutout of the season.
The disciplined performance by the Rams extended their unbeaten streak and reflected the core of their success: balance between early attacking precision and defensive resilience. Pompliano nearly doubled his tally with a late shot that rattled off the post, but one goal was enough for Fordham to close out its fifth consecutive conference match win.
A mere three days later, the Rams returned to Moglia to face Duquesne, another test of endurance, considering their packed schedule. Senior midfielder Daniel D’Ippolito delivered the decisive moment just before halftime.
Standing over a free kick nearly 40 yards out, D’Ippolito kicked a curling strike that soared past Duquesne’s goalie Diego Chavez, marking his fifth goal of the season and 24th of his career. The goal moved him into Fordham’s all-time top 10 in both goals and points.
Prior to the match, D’Ippolito emphasized their preparation as the key to Fordham’s edge. “We’ve played them all four years I’ve been here … we’re familiar with each other,” he said. “[It’s] about setting up defensively to then transition into offense and counter them.”
The Rams were in control in the first half, outshooting Duquesne 8–0. As the Dukes pushed forward, Stephani (ranked among the top goalkeepers nationally) turned away two late chances to preserve his fifth shutout of the season.
Following the match, D’Ippolito praised his teammates’ strength: “[We] put in a very gritty performance as it was the third game of the week. We closed off the game well, keeping another shutout and furthering our confidence in our back line.”
Stephani echoed that same sentiment, noting that Fordham’s success stems from their discipline and unity. “We have the ability to score one goal and then defend with our lives for the next 45-plus minutes,” he said. “It comes down to being organized, talking, and staying locked in for the full 90.”
The Rams’ next challenge came in St. Louis; a trip that tested both skill and endurance. A two-hour rain delay set the stage for an emotional rivalry clash against the Billikens.
Two minutes in, senior defender Ede Gramberg begn the scoring off a cross from sophomore Daniel Lang. Minutes later, Emile Kisse doubled the lead with a header off a D’Ippolito assist, giving the Rams a 2–0 advantage, silencing the home crowd.
Pompliano had anticipated the intensity of the night, calling the matchup “a tough game” and the kind of environment Fordham thrives in. “We’re that kind of scrappy team,” he said beforehand.
As the rain subsided, St. Louis found its rhythm. The Billikens pulled one back before halftime, equalized early in the second half, and then completed the comeback with a 69th-minute goal to claim a 3–2 win.
Pompliano reflected that while Fordham “started strong” and “capitalized early,” the team “got away from [its] game plan during periods of the game.”
With the A-10 standings tightening and the regular season winding down, it’s clear what’s at stake. As senior forward Bennett Leitner summarized, “Our biggest thing is that we’re happy … we control our own destiny the rest of the way, and that’s a privilege. So we need to respect that and make sure we don’t slip up, because the greatest privilege in sports is controlling your own destiny.”
That perspective reflects every match the Rams have played this season. Whether it was Pompliano’s early strike against Dayton, D’Ippolito’s game-winning brilliance versus Duquesne, or the lessons learned in St. Louis, each moment has reflected a team learning, evolving and refusing to back down. They have the grit, composure and belief of a team built to go the distance, and if that mentality continues to hold, the Rams have everything it takes to make a deep postseason run.
