Sept. 19, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO - For the second straight game, 110 minutes of play was not enough to allow for a decision for the Penn State men's soccer team (2-3-2), as it tied Saint Mary's College (1-4-2), 0-0, on Friday evening at Negoesco Stadium on the University of San Francisco campus in a day one match-up of the BMW/Nike Soccer Challenge. The Nittany Lions are undefeated in their last three games, knocking off Saint Francis on Sept. 10 (1-0) before drawing with James Madison (1-1) last weekend and the Gaels tonight.
"We played well," said head coach Barry Gorman. "We just need to find that elusive goal and get on a roll."
Penn State outshot its opponent for the seventh consecutive game, totaling 16 to Saint Mary's nine. Sophomore midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.) led the Lions with seven shots, including two on goal. Junior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), seeing his first action in three games due to a foot injury, registered three shots.
In his sixth career start, goalkeeper Liam Fitzwater (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) recorded four saves en route to his third shutout this season. As a result of his efforts in holding the Gaels scoreless, the redshirt sophomore's goals against average dipped to an impressive 0.78.
The first half unfolded as largely a defensive, back-and-forth battle and signaled a trend that would continue throughout the entire game. The first shot did not come until over 12 minutes into the game when Drew Cost got one off. With the Penn State defense clamping down, Saint Mary's did not record its initial shot until the 15th minute.
Penn State came out firing in the second half with two shots from Cost and one from Braga marking the first 10 minutes of play but none could find net. The Lions also had the advantage in shots in the overtime periods but no golden goal was forthcoming.
The Nittany Lions continue play at the BMW/Nike Soccer Challenge on Sun., Sept. 21 when they take on host San Francisco at 3 p.m. ET at the home of the Dons, Negoesco Stadium.