Sept. 9, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion men's soccer team (1-3-0) dropped a hard fought 1-0 decision to Old Dominion (1-2-1) on Sunday afternoon at Jeffrey Field in the final match-up of the 2007 Penn State Classic. The Lions posted a 1-1 record in their annual host tournament after knocking off William & Mary by a score of 4-1 on Friday evening.
For much of the first half, neither team could gain a definitive advantage and establish offensive continuity. Whistles slowed play, as the team combined for 20 fouls through the game's first 45 minutes.
Penn State dodged a bullet in the 27th minute when, during a free kick opportunity, an Old Dominion goal was disallowed because of a foul committed by a Monarch player in the box. The Nittany Lions had their chances but had several potential offensive pushes negated by five offside calls. Their best opportunity to net the go ahead goal came in the waning moments of the first half when senior defender Grady Renfrow (Washington, D.C) collected the ball on the left wing and, finding himself unmarked, rocketed a shot from 20 yards out that clanged off the post.
The Nittany had another prime shot to take the lead in the 52nd minute when junior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) stole the ball near midfield and passed it forward to sophomore midfielder Vincent Salvatico (Chester Springs, Pa.). Racing down the left wing, Salvatico's angle to the goal got cut off by an ODU defender and his shot sailed just wide of the net.
The Monarchs netted the game winner in the 61st minute when junior midfielder Trevor Banks crossed a pass off a free kick that slid through the Penn State defense. The Lions couldn't clear it and freshman forward T.J. Beaulieu, who was positioned deep in the Penn State zone, had the ball come to him and he put a shot in just past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
For the game, Penn State was outshot by Old Dominion, 9-5. Taylor, starting his 68th straight game in goal for Penn State, recorded two saves.
Renfrow, Yeisley, and freshman defender Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela) were named to the 2007 Penn State Classic All-Tournament Team for their standout play this weekend. Eric Brunner, a senior defender from Ohio State, was honored as tournament MVP. The Buckeyes downed William & Mary, 5-0, in the early game on Sunday to go 2-0 for the tournament.
The Nittany Lions return to the road next week, heading west to Los Angeles for contests with Cal State Fullerton and No. 11 UCLA. Penn State will match-up with the Titans on Fri., Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET and will challenge the Bruins on Sun., Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be played on the UCLA campus at the home of the Bruins, Drake Stadium.