Oct. 21, 2008
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Two early defensive lapses proved too much for the Penn State men's soccer team (4-8-2, 1-2-0 Big Ten) to overcome in its non-conference match-up with Lehigh (6-5-3, 1-1-2 Patriot League) on Tuesday night in Bethlehem, Pa., sending the Nittany Lions to a hard-fought 2-1 defeat.
Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.) accounted for Penn State's score, netting his team-best sixth goal of the season. The sophomore forward has been hot of late, scoring all of his goals in the last five games. Junior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) continues to key the Nittany Lion attack, tallying his second assist of the season and a team-high seven shots.
Lehigh jumped on top 1-0 just 5:14 into the game when senior midfielder Adam Gazda scored off a free kick opportunity. Gazda would up the Mountain Hawks lead in the 25th minute with his second goal of the game. The Penn State defense could not clear a crossing pass and Gazda took advantage by controlling it and getting off a shot that found net.
Penn State had its opportunities to answer back on several occasions in the first half but could not convert. Gelsinger received a pass and beat his defender to the net, but he could not get it on his strong foot and hit a dribbler that was easily corralled by Lehigh keeper by Jonathan Nydell. Senior midfielder Ryan Badaracco (Wexford, Pa.) also had a clear look at net, but his blast from 18 yards out sailed just wide of goal.
Junior midfielder Matheus Braga notched his second assist of the season |
The Lions got back into the game in the 71st minute, cutting the Lehigh lead in half. Matheus Braga controlled the ball near midfield and connected with Treavor Gelsinger on a pass near the top of the box. Gelsinger spun and rocketed a shot that hit the far post and glanced into net.
Aiming to net the equalizer, Penn State ramped up its offensive pressure in the remaining 20 minutes but could not put together a successful scoring run.
Penn State outshot Lehigh for the game, 21-11, including a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Nittany Lions took eight corner kicks as compared to just one for the Mountain Hawks.
The Nittany Lions will conclude their three game road swing this weekend when they visit Madison, Wis. for a key Big Ten battle with Wisconsin (6-6-2, 0-4-1 Big Ten) on Sun., Oct. 26. The game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. ET start at the home of the Badgers, the McClimon Memorial Track/Soccer Complex. Penn State returns to University Park for its first home game in 18 days when it plays No. 5 Akron (11-1-2, 4-0-0) MAC) on Wed., Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.