Sept. 19, 2010
DENVER, Colo. - The No. 23 Penn State men's soccer team (5-1-0) overcame a tough opponent, sweltering Rocky Mountain Indian summer heat, and Mile High City altitude on Sunday afternoon to claim a decisive 4-0 win over Denver (3-2-1) and finish its arduous Colorado road trip undefeated.
Junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) scored his Big Ten-leading seventh goal of the season early in the game and added an assist later on, upping his conference-best point total to 17. Senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) earned his NCAA-leading eighth assist on Hertzog's goal and followed it up by netting his first goal of season. Sophomore forward Rafael Faria (Miami, Fla.) and junior midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.) also tallied goals.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) anchored a strong defensive effort, registering a season-high five saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season.
Penn State pressed offensively early on, resulting in some excellent scoring chances but could not convert. Persistence paid off, however, and the Nittany Lions broke through in the 24th minute, getting a goal from a familiar duo. After a long possession consisting of one and two touches, Matheus Braga controlled the ball on left wing, moved inside, and slipped a through ball to Corey Hertzog, who was making a diagonal run behind the Denver defense. Hertzog banged home a picturesque goal, scoring what would prove to be his Big Ten-best fourth game winner of the season.
After going to halftime with the slim 1-0 lead, Penn State came out of the break determined to build on its advantage. That resolution translated into production quickly, as the Lions extended their lead to two goals less than three minutes in. Mackenzie Arment started the scoring play by earning a corner kick for Penn State. Senior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.) took the kick and put it in play inside the box. Diving to get his head on it, Braga connected and sent the ball into net.
The Nittany Lions padded their lead with a third goal in the 81st minute. Triple teamed by Denver defenders, Corey Hertzog was able to hold the ball up and get a pass off to front line mate Rafael Faria. From 20 yards out, Faria bent a streaking shot around the Pioneer goalkeeper and into the side of the net. The goal was his second of the year.
Just over one minute later, Mackenzie Arment put the finishing touches on the dominating win with his first goal of the season. Collecting a deflected shot, Arment sent in one of his own, finding the side netting from 18 yards out.
The Nittany Lions return home next week to kick off a two game home stand, beginning on Fri., Sept. 24 when they open Big Ten play by hosting archrival Indiana (3-3-0) at 7:30 p.m. Penn State has taken four of the last seven meetings between the teams, including the last two at Jeffrey Field. The Lions will then welcome regional opponent Saint Francis (Pa.) (3-2-0) to Happy Valley on Wed., Sept. 29 for a 7 p.m. contest. In the teams' last match-up, Penn State routed the Red Flash, 5-0, to open the 2009 season.