Source: GoPSUsports.com
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:41:00 PM EST
Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:25:51 AM EST
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:41:00 PM EST
Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:25:51 AM EST
AKRON, Ohio - The Penn State men's soccer team (9-5-2) got behind early and couldn't make up the deficit in its showdown with undefeated and No. 1-ranked Akron (16-0-0) on Wednesday evening, and fell to the Zips, 3-0, in front of a partisan crowd numbering 1,500-plus at Lee Jackson Field. The Nittany Lions suffered just their second shutout of the season in the setback and the first since Sept. 20.
While Penn State couldn't find net against the nation's top-rated defense, it did record more shots, 11, than any other Akron opponent this season and forced Zips' goalkeeper Davis Meves, the NCAA leader in goals against average, into a season-high five saves.
Sophomore forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) had a team-high five shots, including one that hit the post. He and senior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) led the Lions with two shots on goal. Akron has limited opponents to one or fewer shots on goal six times in 2009.
"Akron is a very good side" said Penn State head coach Barry Gorman. "They play very well for 90 minutes and we didn't put together enough sustained minutes to stay with them throughout the course of the game."
Akron fashioned a 2-0 lead through the game's first 23-plus minutes by virtue of two goals from forward Teal Bunbury. The first goal came at the 4:25 mark from 12 yards away off a pass from Ofori Sarkodie. Bunbury's second goal came in the 24th minute from 30 yards out.
Penn State then picked up the pace and pressure offensively but could not convert on its shot attempts.
The Nittany Lions continued their solid play early in the second half, highlighted by three shots from Corey Hertzog, but a third and final goal in the 62nd minute by Darlington Nagbe put the game out of reach. Penn State posted just one shot, an attempt on goal by Jason Yeisley, for the remainder of the game.
Redshirt sophomore Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) went the distance for Penn State in goal, recording two saves.
With their longest road stint of 2009 in the books, the Nittany Lions return home to Happy Valley this weekend for a critical Big Ten contest with Wisconsin (6-7-2, 3-2-0 Big Ten) on Sat., Oct. 31. The Halloween match-up, which is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at Jeffrey Field, will be aired on a tape delay basis on the Big Ten Network (Sun., Nov. 1, 4 p.m.). Penn State will be looking to avenge a 4-1 loss suffered last season in Madison, Wis. The Lions own an 11-9-2 record all-time versus the Badgers.
Senior Day festivities will also highlight Saturday, with Diego Correa (Niteroi, Brazil), Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.), Vincent Salvatico (Chester Springs, Pa.), Jacobo Vera (Pamplona, Spain), and Jason Yeisley being honored in a special pre-game ceremony.
While Penn State couldn't find net against the nation's top-rated defense, it did record more shots, 11, than any other Akron opponent this season and forced Zips' goalkeeper Davis Meves, the NCAA leader in goals against average, into a season-high five saves.
Sophomore forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) had a team-high five shots, including one that hit the post. He and senior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) led the Lions with two shots on goal. Akron has limited opponents to one or fewer shots on goal six times in 2009.
"Akron is a very good side" said Penn State head coach Barry Gorman. "They play very well for 90 minutes and we didn't put together enough sustained minutes to stay with them throughout the course of the game."
Akron fashioned a 2-0 lead through the game's first 23-plus minutes by virtue of two goals from forward Teal Bunbury. The first goal came at the 4:25 mark from 12 yards away off a pass from Ofori Sarkodie. Bunbury's second goal came in the 24th minute from 30 yards out.
Penn State then picked up the pace and pressure offensively but could not convert on its shot attempts.
The Nittany Lions continued their solid play early in the second half, highlighted by three shots from Corey Hertzog, but a third and final goal in the 62nd minute by Darlington Nagbe put the game out of reach. Penn State posted just one shot, an attempt on goal by Jason Yeisley, for the remainder of the game.
Redshirt sophomore Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) went the distance for Penn State in goal, recording two saves.
With their longest road stint of 2009 in the books, the Nittany Lions return home to Happy Valley this weekend for a critical Big Ten contest with Wisconsin (6-7-2, 3-2-0 Big Ten) on Sat., Oct. 31. The Halloween match-up, which is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at Jeffrey Field, will be aired on a tape delay basis on the Big Ten Network (Sun., Nov. 1, 4 p.m.). Penn State will be looking to avenge a 4-1 loss suffered last season in Madison, Wis. The Lions own an 11-9-2 record all-time versus the Badgers.
Senior Day festivities will also highlight Saturday, with Diego Correa (Niteroi, Brazil), Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.), Vincent Salvatico (Chester Springs, Pa.), Jacobo Vera (Pamplona, Spain), and Jason Yeisley being honored in a special pre-game ceremony.
