| Sophomore goalkeeper Conrad Taylor and the Nittany Lion defense held the potent Maryland attack at bay in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Terrapins. |
Box Score
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. September 21, 2005 - The Penn State men's soccer team held No. 6 Maryland scoreless for 90 minutes, and upset the Terrapins, 1-0, on Wednesday night at Jeffrey Field. The powerful Nittany Lion defense kept the Terrapin attack at bay, and snapped Maryland's four-game winning streak in the process.
The win advanced the Nittany Lions to 2-4-1, just days after they placed 2nd in the Penn State Nike Classic, where they beat Cal State Fullerton, 2-0. Maryland fell to 5-3-0 on the year. The win was Penn State's second straight shutout, and third of the year.
Penn State's game-winning goal came within two minutes (1:53) of the opening whistle when Simon Omekanda (Rochester Hills, Mi.) headed a cross from Christopher Ascherl (Bruehl, Germany). Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) was also credited with an assist on the goal. The score was Omekanda's first on the year.
Omekanda remained an offensive threat throughout the game, helping the Lions take six shots on goal as the Penn State defense allowed only five shots on Goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Co.), who picked up his third shutout of the season.
The Maryland offense kept the pressure on Penn State, but was unable to capitalize on three corner kicks and two near-goals. Twice the Terrapins put the ball in the net, only to remain scoreless due to an offsides penalty and a foul. In the 2nd half the Terps had a chance to tie the game but Taylor made a remarkable save on a close header.
Maryland continued to pressure, but defensive stands by Geordie MacNeill (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Markku Viitanen (Pirkkala, Finland), and David Gray (Lemont, Pa.) kept Maryland out of the net.
The Nittany Lions return to action Saturday for an 8 p.m. matchup at George Mason. The Penn State's next home match is Tuesday, Sept. 27 vs. St. Bonaventure. The game starts at 7 p.m.