Penn FC Earns 3 Points against Tampa Bay
May 4, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC earned a 3-0 victory against the Eastern Conference fourth-place team, Tampa Bay Rowdies, as Kyle Venter's first-half header and Tommy Heinemann's second-half brace earned three points.
Penn FC struck early in the first half. Following a Tampa Bay foul on the left wing, Jerry Ortiz placed his 40 yard-plus free kick inside the box. The ball found Venter's head, and the defender directed the ball into the net.
Penn FC strung together two more scoring chances in the first half. Ortiz fed a long ball, in the 34th minute, to Heinemann in the box, but the forward's header was gathered by Tampa Bay's keeper. Ortiz nearly scored in the 41st minute after he launched a one-timer on goal that required the keeper's attention.
The Blue and White also struck early in the second half. In the 57th minute, Head Coach Raoul Voss substituted Aaron Dennis in for Ortiz. The Tampa Bay defense watched the substitution on the field, and Marco Franco took advantage. The moment Ortiz stepped off the field, Franco threw the ball into play and toward the right corner flag. Frederick Opoku gathered the ball quickly and crossed to Heinemann as he raced into the center of the box. Heinemann headed the ball with pace and the keeper could not save it.
Three minutes later, Dennis dribbled from the left wing to the edge of the box. As a defender challenged him, he turned and passed the ball back to Pedro Galvão. The wingback touched the ball twice with his left foot before bending a cross into the box. Heinemann rose up and headed the ball into the back of the net.
Heinemann's efforts against his former club earned him the USL's Man of the Match award as well as the Man of the Match award from the Penn FC fans.
With a commanding lead intact, Penn FC withdrew its attack. Penn FC's defensive efforts frustrated Tampa Bay's offense, and the Rowdies failed to place a shot on target, despite shooting the ball 16 times.
Romu Peiser earned his second clean sheet of the season. He recorded two key punches that disrupted Tampa Bay opportunities. Along with Peiser's shift in between the pipes, Franco, Galvão, Venter and Harri Hawkins were instrumental in earning the club's third clean sheet of the season.
Voss earned a victory in his first match against his former club. Voss' gameplan neutralized the Rowdies who scored 12 goals before entering FNB Field.
Penn FC returns to FNB Field for the second leg of its two-game home stand. The Blue and White have a quick turnaround and will host Ottawa Fury FC, Monday, May 7. Kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the game are available to purchase on pennfc.com/tickets.
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