Sept. 23, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team (4-3-1) could not capitalize on prime scoring opportunities and had one costly defensive lapse in its match-up with in-state foe Lehigh (3-2-2), forcing the Nittany Lions to settle for a 1-1 tie on Wednesday night at a slick Jeffrey Field.
Sophomore forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) accounted for Penn State's lone tally, scoring his fourth goal of the season in the 71st minute. With the goal, Hertzog is tied with junior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) for the team lead in goals and points (10). Junior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.) and senior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) each earned assists on the play.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) battled through an injury that limited his playing time last weekend, logging all 110 minutes between the pipes. He recorded three saves.
Overall, Penn State dominated possession, pace, and play, particularly in the second half. For the game, the Nittany Lions outshot the Mountain Hawks, 21-10, including owning an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. It was only the standout play of Lehigh goalkeeper Jonathan Nydell, who registered a total of nine saves, many that could be categorized as miraculous, that stood between Penn State and a runaway victory.
The first half was marked by sluggish play on both sides, with the teams accounting for a combined five shots with just one making it on goal.
As slow paced as the first half was, the second half was frenetic, featuring fast and furious action, predominantly by the Penn State attack. After Lehigh nearly took the lead less than two minutes into the half, the Nittany Lion offense began to force its will.
In the 56th minute, Jason Yeisley beat the Lehigh keeper to a loose ball up close on the right wing. He centered it was a perfect pass but senior forward Vincent Salvatico (Chester Springs, Pa.), who was racing toward goal, couldn't get a foot on the ball in front of an open net.
Less than five minutes later near midfield, Corey Hertzog beat two defenders, splitting between them and breaking into the clear. From 30 yards out, he launched a laser that Nydell just got a hand on, tipping it high.
Sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.) and Yeisley teamed to give Penn State an excellent opportunity to crack the scoreboard in the 69th minute. Arment beat his mark to the ball on the right wing and sent a high centering pass into the box. The awaiting Yeisley headed a hard shot that was saved only by a diving stab from the Lehigh goalkeeper.
The Nittany Lions finally broke through just under two minutes later. Cost started the run by finding Yeisley with a well-placed pass from about 22 yards out. Yeisley then centered the ball to a streaking Hertzog. Nydell came out to intercept but the ball trickled off Hertzog's foot and into goal.
Penn State nearly upped its lead to 2-0 just minutes later when Cost got off a shot that slid just wide of the far post. Hertzog was in perfect position to tap it in but hesitated because the Cost shot appeared to be heading into net.
As the final minutes of the second half ticked off the clock, it appeared the Lions were headed for the regulation win. However, it was not to be, as Lehigh netted the equalizer in the 88th minute. Neal Melchionni sent in a desperation pass to Adam Welch, who was positioned just inside the box, 12 yards out. Welch jumped and got a foot on the pass, sending it speeding into goal.
Still pressing for the regulation win, Penn State nearly got it with just 31 seconds remaining. Vincent Salvatico centered a pass to Yeisley, who was positioned inside the box, to the right of the Lehigh goalkeeper. Yeisley headed a perfect shot that Nydell saved but could not control. While on the ground following his header, Yeisley attempted to get the back of his foot on the ball and push it into goal, but a Mountain Hawk defender kicked it away before he could attempt the maneuver, sending the game into overtime.
Penn State outshot Lehigh, 8-2, in the overtime periods, but it was one attempt in the 108th minute that would prove noteworthy. Cost fired a shot from eight yards out that was denied by Nydell but forced him from his line. The ball popped into the air and headed in Yeisley's direction. The senior forward got off a graceful bicycle kick that was on target to find net. However, Nydell had raced back to his line and made an incredible save of Yeisley's attempt, effectively ending Penn State's bid for its fifth win of the season.
The Nittany Lions are back in action at Jeffrey Field on Sun., Sept. 27 when they open Big Ten play versus Michigan (7-1-0). Game time is set for 2 p.m. After beginning the season with a 5-0 loss to Notre Dame, the Wolverines have reeled off seven consecutive wins, outscoring their opponents, 23-5. Penn State has won its last two home meetings with Michigan.