HARRISBURG, Pa. – Tommy Heinemann scored twice in three minutes to lead Penn FC to a 3-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Friday night for the club’s first win of the 2018 season. Penn took the lead in the 11th minute as a free kick from the left by Jerry Ortiz found Kyle Venter near the right post, and the center back headed back across goal into the net. Tampa Bay almost responded from a set piece of its own but Junior Flemmings headed over the crossbar from a corner kick in the 23rd minute, but the hosts held their lead until the halftime break as Rowdies goalkeeper Cody Mizell notched a pair of saves to keep out long-range efforts from Heinemann and Ortiz. Penn doubled its lead 12 minutes into the second half as a cross from the right by Frederick Opoku found Heinemann for a close-range header, and three minutes later Heinemann struck again off a cross from the left by Pedro Galvão. Tampa Bay tried to get back into the game but was unable to break down Penn’s defense as goalkeeper Romuald Peiser recorded his second shutout of the season to close out the victory.

Scoring:

11’ – PEN – Kyle Venter (Jerry Ortiz)

57’ – PEN – Tommy Heinemann (Frederick Opoku)

60’ – PEN – Tommy Heinemann (Pedro Galvão)

Three Things That Matter:

1. Penn FC’s first victory under Head Coach Raoul Voss saw everything seemly come together for the hosts at FNB Field in an ideal start to a busy stretch of games over the next week. After going through some attacking struggles to start the season Penn made the most of its clear looks on goal, testing Rowdies goalkeeper Cody Mizell regularly in addition to finishing three good chances. After dabbling with different combinations in the side’s opening six games of the season, Voss might have found something that is going to work long-term.

2. There’s rarely a greater motivator than going up against a former club, and Penn forward Tommy Heinemann made it a miserable night for the club he suited up for two seasons ago in his first game against Tampa Bay since his departure. Two goals separated by three minutes, both well-taken headers, blew the game open for the hosts just before the hour-mark, but Heinemann had been making a nuisance of himself well before those moments, getting involved in 25 duels during the game and committing four fouls.

3. The Rowdies’ road blues continued as the side fell for a fourth consecutive time away from Al Lang Stadium after a night that again saw their attack sputter. The Rowdies produced some good chances but didn’t test Penn goalkeeper Romuald Peiser and ended the game without an official shot on goal. With one more road game at the Richmond Kickers next weekend, the side will have to go back to the drawing board to try and get things sharpened up.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Tommy Heinemann, Penn FC – Heinemann’s pair of goals proved decisive as the hosts claimed their first victory of the regular season.