Aug. 27, 2011
Box Score | Penn State Classic Tournament Central
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 18 Penn State men's soccer team opened the 2011 season in victorious fashion on Saturday evening, topping Siena (0-1-0), 1-0, on a soggy and slick Jeffrey Field. The contest closed day one action of the 15th annual Penn State Classic.
Fifteenth-ranked Ohio State and American battled to a 1-1 tie in the first game, playing much of the second half in an unexpected driving rainstorm.
Junior midfielder Minh Vu (Tucson, Ariz.), a transfer from Pima Community College, scored the game winner, tallying his first Division I collegiate goal in his official debut as a Nittany Lion. Freshman goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton (Snellville, Ga.) also achieved an impressive first in the win, recording a shutout in his first career start.
After a slow start to the game by both teams, Penn State (1-0-0) began to control possession and mount a more cohesive and dangerous attack as the half wore on. The Nittany Lions' best scoring chance came in the first half came in the 40th minute, put together by two other players who were making their first regular season appearance in a Nittany Lion uniform.
Junior Julian Cardona (Lincoln, Neb.), a transfer from Butler, made a strong run down the middle of the field, slicing through the Siena defense. Eyeing junior Marvin Ledgister (London, England), a transfer from North Iowa Area Community College, open in space to the left of goal, Cardona connected with him on a beautiful pass. Ledgister took a touch and then launched a low lining shot towards goal from 10 yards out, but Saints' keeper Jack Binks was up to the challenge and made the save.
In the second half, Penn State continued to press to gain the lead. Vu and senior Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.) triggered excellent chances off corner kicks but the Lions were not able to convert.
Penn State was finally able to break through in the 68th minute.
Vu started and finished the game winning play. After Vu won a ball near midfield, junior Hasani Sinclair (Coral Gables, Fla.) took control of it and weaved his way through the Siena defense, heading to the near corner. Spotting sophomore Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) on a run down the center of the field, Sinclair sent in a perfectly placed cross. However, Binks aggressively came off his line and kicked Tyler's attempt away before he could get a solid foot on it. The uncontrolled ball bounded out of the box and came to Vu, who blasted a shot on a dead sprint from 20 yards out that sped past the scrambling Binks.
After Vu gave Penn State the lead, Wolverton helped the Nittany Lions keep it with consecutive brilliant saves in the 81st minute. Siena had two up close looks at goal but Wolverton was ready, stopping both shots, including a low offering to his right. The freshman would finish the game with three saves.
Penn State outshot Siena, 14-8, and held a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. Each team attempted seven corner kicks.
The Nittany Lions will conclude play at the 2011 Penn State Classic on Monday, Aug. 29 when they face American at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. Preceding the Penn State-American clash, Ohio State will take on Siena (3 p.m.). Admission to the Penn State Classic and to all home men's soccer games is free.
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