Box Score
LANCASTER, PA - If fans expected drama in light of the recent history between PBU and Lancaster Bible, they certainly weren't disappointed Saturday.
Chalk it up as just another epic battle in the budding rivalry.
The Crimson Eagles gladly rode to victory behind the heroics of Phil Haas against their heated rival as the senior forward notched two scores deep in the second stanza to lead PBU to a 2-1 triumph.
"Wow, what a great game," was almost all head coach Clay Roberts could say when all was said and done. "I couldn't be prouder of our guys and how they handled themselves today. They fought back and persevered in a tough environment in a big road win for us."
And persevere they did.
Connecting on a score just 14:23 into action, the Chargers certainly didn't waste any time asserting that last year was no fluke - they're once again the real deal. Lancaster's Kyle Zooke beat PBU keeper Andy Ecker with a lofty chip to put the host squad on top 1-0, much to the delight of the multitude of fans lining the field during LBC's homecoming weekend.
With play neutralized in the middle of the field for much of the first half LBC would maintain their one goal edge for the next 51 minutes.
Enter Phil Haas - Charger slayer.
After scoring two second half goals in a come-from-behind 3-2 triumph over Lancaster during the East Region Championship a season ago, Haas once again worked his magic when called upon.
In a performance eerily similar to last year, the senior forward evened things a 1-apiece with 17:59 left to play off a feed from teammate Jeremy Dunham. But Haas' afternoon was far from finished as the lanky striker pulled up, stopped, and popped at the penalty stripe with 7:23 remaining for his second score in less than 11 minutes.
The goal would prove to be the game winner as the Chargers' heavy pressure in the dwindling minutes wouldn't produce the necessary game tying goal. Instead, the Crimson Eagles held on for their second straight single goal win over Lancaster, granting PBU precious home field advantage come playoff time.
"I thought Lancaster was definitely better than a year ago," Roberts reflected. "But thankfully our guys were up to the challenge today. We finished our chances and got the result, and once again, I can't say how proud I am of the effort we put forth today."
Statistically, the Crimson Eagles manufactured a 17-12 edge in shots for the afternoon although Lancaster actually enjoyed the advantage in shots on goal (9-6). Keeper Andy Ecker collected eight stops in the win while Haas' combo of scores give him his third and fourth goals of the year.
The soccer squad improves to 4-4-1 with the win while Lancaster Bible College falls to 7-3.
PBU will return to action on Monday when the group hosts Penn State Abington in Langhorne at 4:00 pm.
