Oct. 9, 2007
Penn State-Lafayette Game Notes
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team (4-5-1) will begin a three-game stretch versus non-conference opponents when it welcomes Lafayette (6-1-3) to Jeffrey Field for a 7 p.m. match-up on Wed., Oct. 10.
The Nittany Lions are coming off a tough 1-0 loss to Big Ten rival Ohio State, suffered last weekend in Columbus. The lone score of the game came in the 70th minute. Off a long Ohio State throw in, Penn State goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.) got his hands on the ball but had it slip through for an own goal. The play marred an otherwise standout performance by Taylor, who recorded five saves against a barrage of 20 Buckeye shots.
The Penn State attack, which had been clicking of late by netting seven goals in its previous three games, was slowed against the Buckeyes. The Lions had scoring opportunities, getting off 17 shots, including seven that made it on goal. Despite the offensive struggles versus Ohio State, junior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) continues to lead the team and the Big Ten in goals (tie, 6), points (15), points per game (1.50), and goals per game (tie, 0.60). Penn State continues to get significant contributions from its younger players, as freshmen or sophomores have tallied 23 of its 46 points. Leading the group of underclassmen is sophomore midfielder Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.), who has recorded two goals and two assists in 10 games.
Lafayette enters Wednesday's match-up riding a six-game shutout streak. The Leopards, which are tied for first place in the Patriot League standings, have not lost since early September and have surrendered just four goals through 10 games. Owner of a 0.41 goals against average, good enough for fifth-best in the nation, sophomore goalkeeper Philip Nelson headlines the Lafayette defense. Senior midfielder/forward Scott Hawkins and senior midfielder Mike Tilley are the Leopards' top goal scorers, combining for seven of its 12 in 2007.
Penn State has compiled a 27-2-0 record in its all-time series with Lafayette. However, the two teams have not met on the pitch since 1997, a 3-0 Nittany Lion victory in University Park.
Fans can follow all of the action of the Penn State-Lafayette game on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates from Gametracker. Click on the gametrack PSU link on the official website of Nittany Lion athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com, to access all of the Gametracker features.
The Nittany Lions will continue their run of games against non-conference foes this weekend when they face Boston University (5-5-0) on Sat., Oct. 13 at the Terriers' Nickerson Field in Boston. Game time is set for 2 p.m. Next week, Penn State remains on the road, traveling to play Akron (8-2-1) on Wed., Oct. 17 in a 7:30 p.m. game. The Nittany Lions will return to Big Ten play on Sat., Oct. 20 when they host Wisconsin (5-4-2)