Sept. 14, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's soccer remained undefeated at home as the team held off Albany, 1-0, Friday evening. The Nittany Lions (4-1-1) captured the lead after Julian Cardona (Lincoln, Neb.) recorded his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the first half and the defense took over from there against the Great Danes (2-4-0).
Penn State caps off its three-game homestand with a 3:30 p.m. meeting with Adelphi at Jeffrey Field Sunday.
"The first half was our best soccer of the year," Bob Warming, Penn State head coach said after the victory. "We lost it a little in the second half and the wind was a factor."
Penn State allowed just one shot on goal, while tallying six of its own on 14 shots. The Nittany Lions also claimed a slim advantage in corner kicks, 5-4. Goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton (Snellville, Ga.) picked up his first win and second shutout of the season with one save. Wolverton has yet to allow a goal in 2012 after blanking West Virginia Sept. 6 as the teams posted a scoreless draw.
Cardona added to his scoring total with a 20-yard blast in the 24th minute, giving Penn State a permanent lead. After a mix up between three Nittany Lions in the penalty area, Cardona took control of the ball at the top of the box and dribbled around to launch a shot off his right foot, going top shelf against Great Dane goalkeeper Tim Allen. The goal, Cardona's fifth, surpassed the senior's 2011 mark of four scores.
The Lions missed a promising chance in the 58th minute as Drew Klingenberg (Gibsonia, Pa.) fed a pass on the left wing to John Gallagher (Pine Bush, N.Y.). From there, Gallagher whipped a cross into the middle of the box but Daniel Burnham (Boise, Idaho) was unable to make contact on the ball.
Senior Minh Vu (Tuscon, Ariz.) created multiple opportunities in the second half, recording three shots and two on goal. Akil Howard (Queens, N.Y.) posted the final scoring opportunity for the Nittany Lions in the 90th minute. Howard took a pass from Christian Kaschak (York, Pa.) at midfield and ran unopposed into the penalty area, but could not get a shot past Allen.
Albany's attack was quiet most of the game, but the Great Danes showed life late in the game, putting a header off the crossbar in the 86th minute.