Sept. 17, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's soccer controlled the pace of play and most of the possession throughout Tuesday night's match, a 1-0 victory over Robert Morris, at Jeffrey Field. Mark Wadid (Missassauga, Ont.) scored his second goal of the year in the 34th minute for the game-winner.
"I didn't think the guys had their legs tonight," Head coach Bob Warming said of his Nittany Lions following a tough 1-1 tie with No. 5 Cal on Friday. "I was proud of them because it was a gutty performance when you're tired and your legs are heavy. They never quit and they didn't give up a goal."
Penn State (3-2-1) was knocking on the door all first half and nearly netted an early tally from the head of Shane Campbell (York, Pa.). Twice Campbell was on the far post from a right-winged corner, but both times Campbell's attempt bounced wide of net.
Ultimately, Penn State's pressure paid off when Mason Klerks (Carona, Calif.) played a great through ball from the midfield to Wadid, who shielded his defender well at the top of the penalty area. Wadid took a touch to the right and blasted a shot past a diving Joseph Kuta (two saves) for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Wadid's second of the year.
"He's a goal scorer," Warming said of Wadid. "He's got other things to learn about the game and that's why he came here. I've had three guys who have led the nation in scoring and that's why Mark came here so we can keep working on his game. He's tremendous in front of goal."
For the half Penn State held edges of 9-2 in shots, 3-0 in shots on goal and 4-0 in corner kicks.
The early moments of the second half belonged to Robert Morris as the Colonials pressed for the equalizer, even forcing goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton (Atlanta, Ga.) into a save from long range in the first five minutes.
The game became a little more physical as things wore on as well. Robert Morris took a pair of cautions in the 67th minute (Matt Fonagy) and Devon Williams (80th minute) on dangerous fouls.
Williams had RMU's best chance to tie the game a minute after his yellow card when he laced a 22-yard shot, but Wolverton made a quick dive to his left, preserving the shutout. The shutout was Wolverton's 18th in 33 starts as a Nittany Lion.
Penn State almost made it 2-0 in the waning seconds of the game as Connor Maloney (Yardley, Pa.) and Jordan Tyloer (Rochester, Mich.) played a little back-and-forth down the field. Ultimately, Maloney's shot ricocheted off the left post as the horn sounded and the game ended, 1-0.
In addition to Wadid's offensive prowess, Maloney and Campbell each fired two shots while defender Martin Seiler (Stuttgart, Germany) and Tyler each recorded two shots.
Penn State held a decisive 17-6 edge in shots with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks. Fouls were 15-12 to Penn State.
The win broke a three-game winless streak for the Nittany Lions as PSU improved to 3-0-1 at Jeffrey Field. In 380 minutes of play, Penn State has conceded just one goal. Additionally, PSU moved to 2-0-0 against NEC teams this fall and 193-39-21 against current Division I teams from Pennsylvania.
The Lions are now 4-0-0 all-time against Robert Morris, outscoring the Colonials 13-0. The meeting between the two sides was the first since 1999.
Penn State takes on another Keystone rival, Duquesne, on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.