Firebirds Hold Off Vulcans for Third Straight Win

Post-Game Interview - Felix Angerer

WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team netted two goals in the first half and then hung on in the closing period for a 2-1 victory over California University of PA on a hot, sunny Wednesday afternoon at UDC Athletic Field.

The Firebirds, ranked No. 10 in the latest NCSAA East Region poll, improved to 3-0 with the win, while California – ranked No. 9 in the Atlantic Region, fell to 1-2. District of Columbia avenged a 1-0 loss at Cal last season and evened the all-time series at 3-3-1 dating back to 2003.

Freshman forward and reigning East Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, Felix Angerer (Business Administration – Bayreuth, Germany/Graj Minster Gymnasium), scored the game's first goal on what was the Firebirds' very first shot of the afternoon less than three minutes into the action. Angerer took an assist from senior Jose Garcia (Spanish – Sterling, VA/Park View HS) and rocketed a shot, from about 18 yards out, past Cal goalkeeper Shane Donovan to give the Firebirds an early, 1-0 lead.

Senior defender Bakary Coulibaly (Electrical Engineering – Hyattsville, MD/La Lumiere HS) made it 2-0 Firebirds with about 10 minutes left to play in the first half when he one-timed a cross by junior Byron Brown (Accounting – Silver Spring, MD/Pocono Mountain HS). Coulibaly now leads the team with three goals this season.

In the second half, Cal out-shot UDC 6-4 (the Vulcans had an 11-10 edge in shots for the game) and scored the only goal of the period in the 78^th minute. Cal could not manage another shot on goal the rest of the way though, as UDC held on for the 2-1 victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Louis Connor (3-0) made three saves and allowed one goal in the complete game victory. Donovan made four saves and allowed two goals in the loss.

Next up, the Firebirds will host their third Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opponent of the season in Nyack on Saturday, September 14^th at 1 p.m. UDC will look to stay unbeaten through the first four games of the season for the third straight year under head coach Matt Thompson.

Saturday's game is the annual "Make-A-Wish" Game, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). A $2 donation will be requested at the entrance and $2 paper tribute balls and bracelets will be sold before and during the game, with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.