| The Nittany Lions capture the Big Ten Regular Season Title with a 1-0 win in overtime against Michigan State. Simon Omekanda scored the game winner in the second overtime. |
EAST LANSING, Mich.; October 23, 2005 - Junior forward Simon Omekanda scored 4:56 into the second overtime of Sunday afternoon's game with Michigan State to lift Penn State (8-6-2, 5-0-0) to 1-0 win over the Spartans and clinch the Nittany Lions the 2005 Big Ten regular season title.
"Obviously, we are delighted," said Penn State head coach Barry Gorman. "It is a credit to the guys on the squad and everyone associated with the program. Given our start to the season, it's great the way the guys have come back in conference play."
The goal by Omekanda was his fourth of the season. It also marked the second consecutive conference game in which the junior striker has tallied the game winner in double overtime. He also had a golden goal versus Ohio State on Oct. 16, another 1-0 road win for Penn State. This season, the Lions have four overtime victories, including three in their last four games.
Sophomore defender Stephen Reihner (Washington, Pa.) and freshman forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) earned assists on the goal. For Reihner, it was his first point of the season. Yeisley ups his point total to a team-high 18 with the assist.
Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.) collected his sixth shutout of the season in the defeat of the Spartans. Facing 11 shots, Taylor totaled two saves.
The Penn State defense held Michigan State's top scoring threat, Ryan McMahen, in check, allowing him just three shots. The senior midfielder entered the game leading the Big Ten in goals and points.
The victory over Michigan State is historic in several respects for the Penn State men's soccer program. The five conference wins the Lions have earned thus far in 2005 breaks the program record for Big Ten victories in a season. The previous mark was four, set in 1994, 1995, 1998, and 2001. Also, the Big Ten regular season title is Penn State's first outright. In 1995, Penn State and Wisconsin tied atop the Big Ten standings with dual 4-1-0 records.
The win also secures Penn State a first round bye in the 2005 Big Ten Championship. The tournament, to be played from Nov. 10 through Nov. 13, will be hosted by Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
Next week, the Nittany Lions play the first two contests of a three-game home stand when American University and Michigan visit Happy Valley. On Wed., Oct. 26, Penn State will battle the American Eagles at 7:00 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. The two teams last met in 2001, when Penn State downed American, 2-1, in Washington D.C. The Lions will then face Big Ten foe Michigan on Sun., Oct. 30 at 1:00 p.m. A year ago, Penn State and Michigan tied 0-0.
For more information on Nittany Lion men's soccer, visit the official website of Penn State athletics at www.GoPSUsports.com.
1 2 OT1 OT2 F Penn State (8-6-2, 5-0-0) 0 0 0 1 1 Michigan State (5-4-5, 3-1-1) 0 0 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY
104:56 Penn State - Simon Omekanda (4) (Stephen Reihner, Jason Yeisley)
SHOTS: Penn State 7, Michigan State 11
CORNER KICKS: Penn State 5, Michigan State 5
FOULS: Penn State 14, Michigan State 12
GOALKEEPING: Conrad Taylor, Penn State - 2 saves, 0 goals against; Jason Tillman, Michigan State - 4 saves, 1 goal against