Sload Secures Win as No. 16 Penn State Escapes Rutgers in OvertimeSload Secures Win as No. 16 Penn State Escapes Rutgers in Overtime
Mark Selders

Sload Secures Win as No. 16 Penn State Escapes Rutgers in Overtime

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Penn State men's soccer team (11-2-3, 6-1-1 Big Ten) escaped Rutgers with a 2-1 overtime victory, thanks to senior Christian Sload's game-winning goal in the 93rd minute Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field.

"This game was representative of our season," said head coach Jeff Cook. "I'm so impressed that the players never seemed to flinch, even in very challenging situations. We stuck together and competed until the very last moment to win a game in what I feel is the strongest college soccer conference in the nation. I'd like to congratulate our entire team and staff for the quality of our regular season performances. We look forward to the challenges ahead in the Big Ten Conference Tournament."

Rutgers came out firing in the first three minutes of play, with two great looks at net in the third minute. Freshman goalkeeper Kris Shakes was there to make the first save at the near post before the rebounded shot went wide left to keep the home team off the board.

Both sophomore Seth Kuhn and freshman Liam Butts had shots on net in the first 15 minutes of action that were saved by Rutgers' keeper Oren Asher.

Freshman Andrew Privett had three shots in the first half off the bench to give Penn State the 10-8 advantage in shots as both teams headed to the locker rooms with goose eggs on the scoreboard.

The first 35 minutes of the second half were similar to the first half with both teams taking multiple shots on target.

In the 64th minute, Shakes made an incredible, highlight-worthy diving save to keep Rutgers off the board.


Rutgers then got the shot back in the 84th minute to go up one with six minutes to play.

Butts said not so fast, however, scoring 59 seconds later after Sload passed the ball into the six and Butts fended off multiple Scarlet Knights defenders to tie the game at one with five minutes left in regulation.


The Nittany Lions were able to take offensive possession right at the start of overtime.

Sload headed in the golden goal in the 93rd minute off a corner kick from Kuhn, his second-straight overtime game-winning goal.


Penn State will await its seeding in the 2019 Big Ten Men's Soccer Tournament with the announcement to come later tonight. The Nittany Lions have secured at least a high enough seed to host a quarterfinal game on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Jeffrey Field.

Game Notes:

  • Penn State finished the 2019 regular season with an 11-2-3 overall record and 6-1-1 record in conference play.
  • Penn State has now won six-straight games against Rutgers.
  • The Nittany Lions' six wins in Big Ten play is the most in conference play since the 2005 season.
  • Penn State went undefeated (6-0-1) on the road in 2019 after not winning a single road game just a year ago.
  • Penn State went undefeated in true road games for the first time since the 1995 season.