Weekend Roundup: Penn State Men’s Soccer Shine on Opening Weekend
Penn State Men’s Soccer began their 2015 campaign with two matches over the weekend including their home opener against San Francisco and a Sunday afternoon matchup versus the Navy Midshipmen. The Nittany Lions finished the weekend undefeated securing a win and a draw against their non-conference opponents.
The Lions secured their first shut-out of the year in their home opener after a solid defensive performance all around from the team. San Francisco led the game in shots on goal, but Penn State’s backline held it down as Senior Matt Bersano earned his first shutout.
Penn State freshman Mac Curran and Austin Maloney were the talk of the town Friday night after the two paired up in the 73rd minute of the match to secure the game’s only goal. Maloney, little brother of Penn State’s super forward Connor Maloney, notched the assist as walk-on Mac Curran was on the end of Maloney’s cross and buried his shot in the bottom left corner past San Francisco’s goalkeeper to score the season’s inaugural goal. While freshman Mac Curran is a freshman walk on, head Coach Bob Warming stated that “he won’t be for long.”
The squad was back in action Sunday as they took on the Navy Midshipmen in an afternoon clash. Penn State was unable to get the go-ahead goal and after two periods of overtime the Lions settled for a 1-1 draw. Junior Connor Maloney scored the lone goal for the Lions from the penalty spot as Penn State was awarded a penalty kick after Maloney was taken to the ground in the box early in the second half.
In the 69th minute, the Midshipmen equalized off of a corner kick that found the head of Brennan Ireland to send the game into overtime. Navy’s offense put pressure on the lions throughout the two overtime periods but the match ended in a draw. Navy finished the match with 17 shots compared to Penn State’s 5.
The Nittany Lions continue their season with another non-conference matchup and their first away game verses Temple University on Friday, September 4th at 4:30pm.
Photo Credit: Craig Houtz – GoPSUsports.com
The Lions secured their first shut-out of the year in their home opener after a solid defensive performance all around from the team. San Francisco led the game in shots on goal, but Penn State’s backline held it down as Senior Matt Bersano earned his first shutout.
Penn State freshman Mac Curran and Austin Maloney were the talk of the town Friday night after the two paired up in the 73rd minute of the match to secure the game’s only goal. Maloney, little brother of Penn State’s super forward Connor Maloney, notched the assist as walk-on Mac Curran was on the end of Maloney’s cross and buried his shot in the bottom left corner past San Francisco’s goalkeeper to score the season’s inaugural goal. While freshman Mac Curran is a freshman walk on, head Coach Bob Warming stated that “he won’t be for long.”
The squad was back in action Sunday as they took on the Navy Midshipmen in an afternoon clash. Penn State was unable to get the go-ahead goal and after two periods of overtime the Lions settled for a 1-1 draw. Junior Connor Maloney scored the lone goal for the Lions from the penalty spot as Penn State was awarded a penalty kick after Maloney was taken to the ground in the box early in the second half.
In the 69th minute, the Midshipmen equalized off of a corner kick that found the head of Brennan Ireland to send the game into overtime. Navy’s offense put pressure on the lions throughout the two overtime periods but the match ended in a draw. Navy finished the match with 17 shots compared to Penn State’s 5.
The Nittany Lions continue their season with another non-conference matchup and their first away game verses Temple University on Friday, September 4th at 4:30pm.
Photo Credit: Craig Houtz – GoPSUsports.com
