Aug. 25, 2012
University Park, Pa. - Senior Julian Cardona opened the 2012 campaign in brilliant fashion, guiding home a pair of goals to help the Penn State men's soccer team (1-0-0) overpower Stetson (0-1-0), 3-0, at home Saturday night.
The Nittany Lions continue the 2012 slate with a matchup against Hartford at 7 p.m. Monday at Jeffrey Field.
 Daniel Burnham headed home the gamewinner  | |
Penn State opened its lead with a goal from Daniel Burnham (Boise, Idaho) in the 10th minute before Cardona (Lincoln, Neb.) supplied the insurance scores in the 64th and 65th minutes, marking his first multi-goal game as a Nittany Lion. Goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin (Cormontreuil, France) and the Nittany Lion back line shut down the Hatter attack, not allowing a shot on goal.
"I have seen Julian [Cardona] play since he was 10 or 11," Penn State head coach Bob Warming said. "When he is healthy and has his swag on, he is tough to stop."
The Nittany Lions set the tone early with the help of a rocket of a goal kick from Martin. The Frenchman powered the ball the length of the field to Burnham, who connected on a header past Stetson keeper Andreas Schnabl.
Penn State controlled the first half, posting a 12-0 shot advantage and an 8-0 mark in corner kicks.
After some back-and-forth play early in the second frame, Cardona blew the Penn State lead open with back-to-back goals separated by less than a minute. The first came in the form of a header off John Gallagher's (Pine Bush, N.Y.) long cross from the left wing in the 64th minute. Less than 45 seconds later Cardona carried the ball through midfield before unleashing a monstrous right-footed blast from 27 yards out that sailed by Schnabl.
The Lion defense remained dominant in the back third the remainder of the game, allowing only two shots and a single corner attempt.