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| Jeffrey Field | University Park, Pa. | 849 | |
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| FINAL STATISTICS |
Nov. 9, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 23 Penn State men's soccer team was unable to solve the No. 21 Michigan State Spartans in a 1-0 loss at Jeffrey Field on Sunday in a Big Ten Quarterfinal. MSU's Tim Kruetz hit a one-time volley in the 54th minute for the game-winning goal.
In a game of limited scoring opportunities, it was a defensive miscue and a pinpoint strike that allowed fifth-seeded Michigan State (11-4-4) to advance to the Big Ten Semifinals at top-seeded Maryland.
"I think both teams had game plans to try to stop the other," head coach Bob Warming said. "The big factor to me is that both teams were just tired. We got to here and I would say I don't think we had a lot of juice today. I just talked to all the guys about it and I told them I was really proud of their effort this week. They worked hard this week, as much as they had in them."
MSU's Adam Montague played a right-winged cross into the penalty area that was touched away by a Penn State (12-5-1) defender, but the ball landed to Kreutz who one-timed the volley opportunity to the lower left corner of the net in the 54th minute.
The Nittany Lions proceeded to dominate ball possession and chances the rest of the way, but Michigan State was game for the chances. Fourth-seeded Penn State out-shot MSU, 7-3, in the second half and 12-8 for the game.
In the 66th minute, Mason Klerks (Corona, Calif.) deftly played a long ball from midfield over the top of the MSU defense to a running Connor Maloney (Harrisburg, Pa.). Maloney's chance was met by Spartan goalie Zach Bennett and the chance went wide right.
In the 84th minute, Maloney again had a chance as Brandon Savino (Glen Ridge, N.J.) crossed in from the left wing, but the forward's open header went high of frame. Savino would then get a chance from 20 yards out with a good look, however, his shot went high of net.
The Nittany Lions failed to advance in a Big Ten Tournament game for the fourth straight time dating back to the 2011 championship game. Michigan State defeated Penn State for the second straight time in tournament play.
NEXT MATCH
Penn State will wait to find out its next game of the season until Monday, Nov. 17 when the NCAA Tournament selection committee reveals the 48-team bracket. The selection show is slated for Noon. Details about an on-campus watch party will be announced at a later date.