Men’s Soccer Draws No. 22 Akron, 2-2
Penn State men’s soccer took on No. 22 Akron Tuesday night at Jeffrey Field for a non-conference matchup in which the teams finished in a 2-2 draw after two periods of overtime.
Penn State played its second overtime match in a week and with the draw, and improved to a 6-6-2 record on the season.
Senior Connor Maloney was the lone goal scorer of the night while Akron’s Stuart Halthusen also scored both goals for his team. Akron opened the match with a goal in the 11th minute after Halthusen was able to get the ball past Nittany Lion goalkeeper Evan Finney a few yards from goal. Penn State attempted to equalize the game in the first half with a few good chances, but the Nittany Lion effort was not strong enough to produce a goal and Penn State went into halftime trailing Akron 1-0.
Maloney’s first goal of the game came in the 65th minute after midfielder Noah Pilato was able to beat two Akron defenders and hand the ball off in the box and Maloney was able to rip a shot from about 15 yards away to level the game 1-1.
Less than ten minutes later, Maloney scored again on a rebound shot to give the Nittany Lions a 2-1 lead. Seven minutes later, Akron struck again to leave the game 2-2 at the end of regulation.
In the two overtime periods, Penn State goalkeeper Evan Finney and Akron keeper Ben Lundt did not allow a goal and the match ended 2-2. During the overtime period, Akron recorded 9 of its 23 shots on goal while Penn State recorded only one.
“I think this whole game was a great advertisement for college soccer,” said head coach Bob Warming. “This is what great college soccer should look like, skillful teams playing hard that move the ball well and exciting players on the field. I’d like to play this game every week.”
Penn State returns to Jeffrey Field Friday against New Jersey foe Rutgers for a Big Ten showdown at 7 p.m.
Penn State played its second overtime match in a week and with the draw, and improved to a 6-6-2 record on the season.
Senior Connor Maloney was the lone goal scorer of the night while Akron’s Stuart Halthusen also scored both goals for his team. Akron opened the match with a goal in the 11th minute after Halthusen was able to get the ball past Nittany Lion goalkeeper Evan Finney a few yards from goal. Penn State attempted to equalize the game in the first half with a few good chances, but the Nittany Lion effort was not strong enough to produce a goal and Penn State went into halftime trailing Akron 1-0.
Maloney’s first goal of the game came in the 65th minute after midfielder Noah Pilato was able to beat two Akron defenders and hand the ball off in the box and Maloney was able to rip a shot from about 15 yards away to level the game 1-1.
Less than ten minutes later, Maloney scored again on a rebound shot to give the Nittany Lions a 2-1 lead. Seven minutes later, Akron struck again to leave the game 2-2 at the end of regulation.
In the two overtime periods, Penn State goalkeeper Evan Finney and Akron keeper Ben Lundt did not allow a goal and the match ended 2-2. During the overtime period, Akron recorded 9 of its 23 shots on goal while Penn State recorded only one.
“I think this whole game was a great advertisement for college soccer,” said head coach Bob Warming. “This is what great college soccer should look like, skillful teams playing hard that move the ball well and exciting players on the field. I’d like to play this game every week.”
Penn State returns to Jeffrey Field Friday against New Jersey foe Rutgers for a Big Ten showdown at 7 p.m.
