Oct. 20, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Shorthanded and weary from playing three overtime games in the span of seven days, the Penn State men's soccer team fell to UMBC (7-4-2), 2-1, on a goal in the 99th minute on Wednesday night at Jeffrey Field.
The nation's top scoring tandem, junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) and senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), were not in the starting line-up for Penn State (8-5-1) but came off the bench to see time. Not even illness could stop Hertzog, though, as he fought through the adversity to score a goal in his fourth consecutive game, giving him 14 for the season. Freshman forward Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) earned his first point since Sept. 17, notching his second assist of the season on the play. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham (West Chester, Pa.) had a strong outing, recording five saves.
With Hertzog and Braga and their combined 47 points on the sidelines to start the game, the Penn State offense was sluggish and disconnected throughout much of the first half. The Nittany Lions totaled five shots but none made it on goal.
A Penn State mistake in the back line led to UMBC's first half goal. A turnover near midfield left the ball on the foot of the dangerous Andrew Bulls, who took advantage by making his way into the Nittany Lion zone for a one-and-one opportunity with Brendan Birmingham. Coming off his line, Birmingham stopped the first shot with a sliding save, but the ball was not cleared and Bulls made good on his second chance to put it in net.
The Nittany Lions rebounded strongly in the second half, improving their play on both ends of the field. The presence of Hertzog and Braga, who each were on the field for the remainder of the game, helped Penn State get the better of possessions and outshoot UMBC, 14-4. One of those 14 PSU shots in the 76th minute knotted the game at 1-1.
During a scramble in the box, Tyler had the ball come to him directly in front of the goal. Spotting Hertzog working into open space to his left, Tyler played him the ball. An ensuing blast into net off the foot of the nation's top goal scorer from 10 yards out to the far post got Penn State back into the game.
The Lions had two legitimate chances to secure a win in regulation's final minutes but a twisting shot by junior midfielder Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.) sailed just wide left of net and a laser by Matheus Braga near the top of the box was snatched up by UMBC goalkeeper Dan Louisignau.
Neither team could gain advantage in the overtime period and the game looked to be headed into a second overtime. However, appearances were deceiving, as with just over one minute remaining, UMBC's Milo Kapor connected on a high, arcing shot from 35 yards out that an outstretched Birmingham could not deflect away.
The Nittany Lions will finish out their final home stand of the 2010 regular season on Saturday when they host conference rival No. 25 Ohio State (7-4-2, 2-1-0) at 3 p.m. in a rematch of the 2009 Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the match on tape delay basis, with the re-air scheduled for Sun., Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
In addition to the pivotal match-up between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes, the weekend promises to be special for other significant reasons. Penn State soccer alums, friends, and family will gather to honor and commemorate the program's 100-year anniversary. Alumni in attendance will be honored in a ceremony at halftime of the game. In addition, Saturday will be Senior Day. Following the game, seniors Matheus Braga, Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela), Drew Cost, Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.), and Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) will be recognized for their contributions to the program.
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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 