The Fordham men’s soccer team is off to a positive start to the season as they played three matches over the past two weeks. Facing Providence University, Long Island University and Manhattan College, the Rams showcased not only their offensive skills, but their defensive prowess.

The first match against the #16 Providence Friars was held in check by the Rams’ defense. Finishing at a 0-0 score, there were a few opportunities from the offense. Fordham was able to hold the Friars to only three shots in the first half; however, things heated up during the second.
While the Rams were outshot 11-10, graduate student goalkeeper Demetri Skoumbakis recorded four saves in the match.

Providence’s few attempts came from Brendan McSorley, with shots in the 16th and 25th minute.

The strongest chance for the Rams came late in the game, with a shot from junior midfielder Florian Deletioglu, however it was saved by Providence’s Lukas Burns. He would go on to have another shot later in the game, after Providence was dealt a yellow card in the 89th minute to no avail.

While coming away with a tie, the game showcased Fordham’s ability to hold on next to a top 25 team. Fordham did have a high foul count with 20 compared to Providence’s 10.
The second match against Long Island University served as a welcome to new team members. Graduate student defenseman Timo Hummrich and freshman forward Nathan Simes both contributed to the Rams’ win with each having a goal and an assist. It also served as a homecoming game for Skoumbakis, who came to Fordham from Long Island.

Hummrich got the first goal of the game in the 26th minute, coming off a cross from Simes to easily knock it past the goalkeeper. Simes later returned the favor in the 88th minute when the defenseman Hummrich broke toward the box, and passed to Simes at the six-yard box. Simes then knocked the ball in, ultimately being the goal to decide this match. Fordham from then on had the extra-man advantage, as Emil Jaaskelainen of the Sharks was dealt his second yellow card.

The Rams conceded a goal to Long Island in the 53rd minute. A handball call occurred in the box, subsequently awarding a penalty kick to the Sharks. The ball, shot into the upper left corner by Michael Mollica, was not enough to overpower the Rams, giving Fordham a 2-1 win for the first time against the Sharks since 2000.

Facing off against Manhattan last night, the Rams played a hard fought match. Simes and the Rams capitalized in the first half off of a fumble by the Jaspers’ goalkeeper, taking an early lead in the 14th minute. Soon after, Fordham missed a penalty kick to make it 2-0, as Danny DiMarco picked the right way to keep the Jaspers in the game.

Manhattan answered back with a goal late in the first half. The game would stay tied until the 67th minute mark when Simes scored off a penalty, slotting the ball in the bottom right corner. A long shot from Deletioglu made the score 3-1, cementing the win for the Rams.

The Rams will be back at home to face off against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Friday at 6 p.m. They will take on Loyola University, Maryland on the road at 4 p.m. on Monday. Both games will be live on ESPN+ to follow along.