Sept. 13, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team (2-3-1) controlled nearly every phase of the game in its match-up with James Madison (2-2-1) on Saturday evening at Jeffrey Field but, after 110 minutes of play, had to settle for a 1-1 tie. The non-conference contest wrapped up a four game home stand for the Nittany Lions, during which they posted a 1-2-1 record.
Despite a light rain that fell during the early parts of the game and wet and humid conditions throughout, the Penn State attack was relentless, showering 31 shots on James Madison. The Nittany Lions consistent offensive pressure also resulted in a season-high 12 corner kicks.
While possessing the ball for much of the first half, a defensive breakdown allowed James Madison to claim an early 1-0 lead on its very first shot of the game. In the 17th minute sophomore forward CJ Sapong served a perfect pass to the wing where redshirt sophomore Andrew Harvey was racing towards goal behind the Penn State defense. Harvey controlled the ball and struck a shot to the left of the outstretched arms of Liam Fitzwater (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) and into goal.
Penn State didn't wait long to respond, knotting the game with its first goal in the first half of a game this season in the 26th minute. Junior midfielder Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.) initiated the play by connecting with freshman forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) on a pass from the middle of the field into the box. Hertzog then dealt a pinpoint crossing pass to senior forward Barkley Miller (New Freedom, Pa.) who was charging in from the left wing. Miller blasted a left-footed strike past a diving JMU goalkeeper for his first goal of the season and the fourth of his career.
The score by Miller was Penn State's first this season from a forward. Miller leads the team in points with three after notching an assist on the Justin Lee's (Derwood, Md.) game winner versus Saint Francis last Wednesday. Costigliola earned his second assist of the season on the play while Hertzog tallied his first point of his collegiate career with his assist.
Penn State outshot James Madison 14-3 in the first half. That trend continued in the second half when the Nittany Lions totaled an 11-8 advantage in shots and then extended into the two overtime periods when it got off six as compared to zero for JMU.
The Nittany Lions nearly notched a golden goal in the second overtime when Justin Lee lofted a crossing pass to junior forward Jacobo Vera (Pamplona, Spain), who was positioned to the right of the JMU goal. Vera then sent the ball into the box to an awaiting Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.). The sophomore forward dribbled right to find a shooting lane and then ripped a shot from eight yards out but two Duke defenders laid out and blocked the attempt.
Liam Fitzwater started his fourth straight game in goal for Penn State, tallying two saves. The redshirt sophomore preserved the tie with a brilliant stop midway through the second half. James Madison's CJ Sapong had a one-on-one look at the goal from up close but Fitzwater used his quick reflexes to block the potential game winning shot.
The Nittany Lions embark on a two-game road swing next week, trekking cross-country to California for the BMW/Nike Soccer Challenge to be hosted by the University of San Francisco. To open play, Penn State will take on Saint Mary's on Fri., Sept. 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Lions will then conclude tournament play on Sun., Sept. 21 when they face the host Dons at 3 p.m. All games will be played at USF's Negoesco Stadium.