Nov. 1, 2011
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Penn State men's soccer team drew with an opponent for the second consecutive game and for the fourth time in 2011, tying Hofstra (6-10-1), 1-1, on Tuesday night in Hempstead, N.Y. in the Nittany Lions' non-conference finale.
Senior midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.) accounted for Penn State's goal, netting his second of the season. Junior midfielder Marvin Ledgister (London, England) registered his second assist of 2011 on the scoring play.
Playing without two key starters in Julian Cardona (Lincoln, Neb.) and Owen Griffith (Lewisburg, Pa.) and resting others, Penn State (7-7-4) dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Hofstra, 17-7, including a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Nittany Lions also led in corner kicks, earning eight as compared to just two for the Pride.
Penn State was just eight minutes away from registering its 11th shutout of the season when Hofstra scored on its first shot on goal of the game. The goal was just the fifth allowed by the Nittany Lions in 13 non-conference contests.
Freshman goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton (Snellville, Ga.), who has started every match and logged every minute in net in his rookie season, made one save.
The Nittany Lions controlled possession in the first half, getting off 10 shots while holding Hofstra to just one, but could not convert on its chances.
Just under four minutes into the second half, Penn State's fortunes changed. Off a pass from Ledgister, Arment unleashed a left-footed blast from 15 yards out that found net, providing the Lions with the lead.
Penn State's luck took a downturn late in the half when Hofstra used a fortunate bounce to net the equalizer. The Pride's leading scorer, Chris Griebsch, took a free kick from 35 yards out that deflected off defender Tyler Botte and into goal.
The Lions outshot Hofstra 4-2 in the overtime periods but could not put in the game winner.
With their longest road stint of 2011 in the books, the Nittany Lions return home to Happy Valley this weekend for a Big Ten contest with Wisconsin (8-7-2, 3-2-0 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 5. The match-up, which is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start at Jeffrey Field, will be aired on a tape delay basis on the Big Ten Network (Sunday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m.). Penn State will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss suffered last season in Madison, the only shutout suffered by the Lions during the 2010 regular season. Penn State owns a 12-10-2 record all-time versus the Badgers.
Senior Day festivities will also highlight Saturday, with Mackenzie Arment, Marco Ciarla (Potomac, Md.), Mark Fetrow (West Chester, Pa.) Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.), and Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.) being recognized for their contributions to the program in a special postgame ceremony.