Oct. 10, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team claimed its first Big Ten win of the season and, at the same time, firmly placed itself back in the race for the conference title with a thrilling, come-from-behind 2-1 victory over No. 18 Michigan State (8-3-0, 1-2-0) on a sun-splashed Sunday afternoon at Jeffrey Field.
Junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) scored his Big Ten-best 11th goal and fifth game winner of the season late in the hard-fought contest to cap off the Nittany Lion rally. Senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) netted a goal and contributed his 11th assist of the year. Junior midfielder Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.) also registered an assist, his second of the year. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham (West Chester, Pa.) upped his record to 3-0, making one save.
Penn State outshot Michigan State, 23-6, including a dominating 16-4 second half advantage. Hertzog and junior midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.) alone equaled the Spartans' shot total, recording six each.
Penn State was aggressive from the game's outset, immediately challenging the Michigan State defense. Corey Hertzog earned the Nittany Lions' first scoring opportunity on their opening possession, just seconds into the game. Making a run down the left wing, he received an excellent pass from senior forward Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.) and put a shot on frame that Michigan State goalkeeper Avery Steinlage saved but did not control. Mackenzie Arment had the rebound come to him but he couldn't get a strong foot on the ball and his shot was corralled by Steinlage.
The Penn State defense was also locked in from the opening whistle, holding Michigan State, which entered the game with the Big Ten's No. 2 scoring offense, to without a shot for first 27 minutes. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Spartans needed just one shot to take the lead and that shot came in the 28th minute. Jeff Ricondo initiated the play, pushing the ball down the far sideline. Spotting teammate Brent Rosendall running behind the PSU defense near the middle of the field, Ricondo fed him the ball. Cutting across the face of Brendan Birmingham, Rosendall was able put a shot into net far post.
The score remained the same heading into the break, thanks in part to Penn State sophomore defender Brian Forgue (Glenmoore, Pa.), who saved a sure score by MSU's Domenic Barone by kicking away his shot on goal just under the eight-minute mark.
Penn State came out of halftime determined to get back into the game and took control with an attacking approach on offense. Just minutes apart early on in the second half, Matheus Braga and Mackenzie Arment had nearly identical scoring opportunities, blasting shots straightaway from 22 yards out, but both attempts were hauled in as part of Steinlage's 11-save day.
Persistence paid off for Penn State, however, when it was able to knot the game at 1-1 in the 67th minute. After a lengthy possession, Justin Lee, who was stationed in the middle of the field, connected with Matheus Braga on a pass. Braga juked his mark and smashed a shot from near the top of the box to the side netting on the far post. The goal was his third of the season.
The Nittany Lions continued to push forward on the attack as the half wore on. Freshman forward Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) provided a spark when inserted into the line-up, nearly giving Penn State the lead on two occasions. The most viable chance came when junior defender Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.) centered a pass into the box that Tyler just missed getting his head on.
When it appeared that the match might be headed into overtime, Hertzog came through for Penn State with the game winner in the 85th minute. Braga battled for the ball near the end line deep in the Spartan zone, maneuvering through and outfighting several Michigan State defenders to gain control. Crossing it into the box to a wide-open Hertzog, he took a touch and then rocketed a shot past a diving Steinlage from 10 yards out.
Penn State's challenging October schedule continues on Wed., Oct. 13 when 2009 NCAA runner-up and No. 1-ranked Akron (9-0-1) first visits Jeffrey Field for a 7 p.m. contest. The Nittany Lions are 13-12-5 versus Akron all-time but has gone winless versus the Zips in their last five meetings, including last season's 3-0 road loss. Penn State will then return to Big Ten competition and to the road next weekend, traveling to Evanston, Ill. to clash with Northwestern (6-4-1, 1-1-0) on Sun., Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. ET. The Lions have dominated the series with the Wildcats, winning 21 of 26 games.
PENN STATE TO HOST 2010 BIG TEN MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
From November 11-14, Penn State will host the 2010 Big Ten Tournament at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions have hosted the annual conference postseason event on three occasions, with the last coming in 2002. Call 814-865-5555 (Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) to order tickets or download a ticket order form