Nov. 13, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sophomore forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) dazzled under the postseason spotlight, scoring three goals to lead the Penn State men's soccer team (12-6-2) to a 3-0 victory over Michigan State (11-7-2) in a Big Ten Tournament semifinal match-up on Friday.
With the win, Penn State advances to play Big Ten champion Ohio State (11-4-4), who knocked off No. 4 seed Indiana 4-2 earlier in the day, for the tournament title at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the host Hoosiers' Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The showdown of the tournament's top two seeds will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Hertzog, who was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team on Wednesday, notched his first career hat trick to send the Nittany Lions to theur first Big Ten Tournament final since 2005. He leads Penn State with 11 goals and has totaled 28 points, the most by a Nittany Lion since Chad Severs posted 37 in 2002. Junior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), one of PSU's three First Team All-Big Ten selections in 2009, registered his team-best sixth and seventh assists and senior midfielder Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.) tallied his third assist of the season.
Penn State claimed a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute on an excellent give-and-go play between Hertzog and Braga. Positioned at the top of box, Hertzog held the ball and then sent it wide to an unmarked Braga. The junior midfielder took the ball to the end line and then crossed it. A Michigan State defender attempted to clear the ball but it went to Hertzog, who tipped it up into net.
Ten minutes later, the Nittany Lions used a set piece to extend their advantage and notch Corey Hertzog's second goal. Frank Costigliola started the scoring play when he lined up for a free kick on the far left wing from 30 yards out. He sent a looping, curving pass into the box, where a cutting Hertzog flicked it into net off his head past frozen Michigan State goalkeeper Avery Steinlage.
Michigan State nearly got back into the game in the final minutes of the half with two good scoring opportunities. With 4:04 remaining, forward Ruben Bega had a 20-yard blast bounce off the post and Spencer Thompson's hard, slicing shot with just over a minute left in the half was snagged by a fully-extended Warren Gross.
The Spartans continued the offensive pressure in the second half attempting to cut into Penn State's lead. In the 63rd minute, Jake Fullerton redirected a throw in but his surprising shot from 10 yards out was corralled by a prepared Gross.
The Nittany Lions had a prime opportunity to go up by three in the 75th minute, but a 22-yard rocket off the right foot of sophomore midfielder Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.) clanked off the crossbar. However, just over a minute later Penn State was able to gain that advantage with the capper to Hertzog's hat trick.
Near midfield, Matheus Braga won a ball and spotted an unmarked Hertzog streaking down the right wing. He took the pass and moved in closer to bring out the goalkeeper. After Steinlage committed, Hertzog cut to the middle of the field and beat a retreating Michigan State defender and put the ball into an open net.
Playing without starters Mark Fetrow (West Chester, Pa.), who was serving a red card suspension, and Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.), who was sidelined by a knee injury, the defense performed brilliantly. Sophomore Patrick Krispin (The Woodlands, Texas), the hero from Thursday's double overtime win over Michigan, and freshman Brian Forgue (Glenmoore, Pa.) filled in capably, helping the defense not miss a beat. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) made five saves en route to his ninth shutout of the season, the most by a Nittany Lion since Conrad Taylor had 10 in 2005. Gross is now tied for fourth all-time on Penn State's season shutouts list.
Penn State will face Ohio State for the Big Ten title on Sunday for the first time since 2000 when the Buckeyes were 3-2 victors in Columbus. The Nittany Lions are 4-1 versus Ohio State in Big Ten tournament games and hold a 24-12-4 all-time record in the conference postseason event.