Nov. 6, 2010
MADISON, Wis. - The No. 22 Penn State men's soccer team suffered its first shutout of the 2010 campaign and saw a three-gane winning streak come to an end in its regular season finale, falling to Wisconsin (4-12-2, 1-4-1), 1-0, on Saturday night at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison. The Nittany Lions entered the contest as only one of four teams nationally to score in every game this season.
For the second time this season, Penn State (11-6-1, 2-3-1) had an opposition penalty kick decide a game, as Wisconsin's Aaron Nichols converted on his opportunity in the 28th minute. The Nittany Lions outshot the Badgers, 12-10, and had a 12-5 advantage in corner kicks.
With a team-high four shots, giving him 96 for the year, junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) broke the program single season shot record previously established by Hermann Trophy winner Jim Stamatis in 1977. Hertzog suffered from a bout of back luck though, missing on two chances to put Penn State on the scoreboard.
After a slow start, the Lions had a prime opportunity to take the lead in the 13th minute when, after senior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.) played a through ball into the box, Hertzog was taken down with a hard foul. Awarded a penalty kick, he took it himself, but his shot was saved by UW goalkeeper Max Jentsch. In the second half, in the 63rd minute, Hertzog had another good look at the goal, but his shot hit the post.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) made his first start since Oct. 3 versus Michigan, recording four saves.
Next week, Penn State will begin pursuit of its fourth conference crown when it competes as host team of the 2010 Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament. The battle for the 2010 title is set to begin on Thurs., Nov. 11 with three first round matches. Semifinal games will take place on Fri., Nov. 12 with the championship contest set for Sun., Nov. 14. All games will be played at Jeffrey Field in the heart of the Penn State athletic complex on the University Park campus. Game times and match-ups will be determined once seeding is established upon the conclusion of regular season competition. The semifinals and finals will air live on the Big Ten Network. Penn State possesses a 24-13-4 record in Big Ten Championship play, one of just two conference teams to possess a winning mark in the postseason tournament.