No. 19 Penn State Pushes Past Ohio State with 3-1 Big Ten Quarterfinals WinNo. 19 Penn State Pushes Past Ohio State with 3-1 Big Ten Quarterfinals Win
Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics

No. 19 Penn State Pushes Past Ohio State with 3-1 Big Ten Quarterfinals Win

Opens in a new window Box Score Opens in a new window Danny Bloyou Postgame Press Conference Opens in a new window Head Coach Jeff Cook Press Conference
Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men's soccer team (7-1-1, 6-1-1 Big Ten) took down the Ohio State Buckeyes (3-6-1, 3-5-1 Big Ten), 3-1, in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at Jeffrey Field.

"I'm really proud of our team for advancing to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament," said head coach Jeff Cook. "Today was a really difficult game, which we anticipated. I thought Ohio State gave us everything they had and played very well in the game. I was especially impressed with our offensive threat that we carried throughout the 90 minutes and the team worked extremely hard to earn a crucial victory. (We're) delighted to advance, looking forward to Wednesday now, and again, very, very proud of our group."

The Nittany Lions were led offensively by junior transfer Danny Bloyou's five-point performance with two goals and one assist. It marked the forward's second multi-goal game this season.

Ohio State came out of the gates quickly, registering the first five shots of the game, all of which were off target.

Penn State finally took its first shot of the game in the 22nd minute as redshirt senior Pierre Reedy got the ball into the box to freshman Peter Mangione who took the shot with his left foot but it was blocked by Buckeye goalkeeper Noah Lawrence. However, Lawrence couldn't keep possession of the ball and Bloyou immediately cleaned up the rebound to put the Nittany Lions on the board first.


Just about seven minutes later, freshman Tyger Evans subbed in to the game in the 29th minute and found the back of the net not even 15 seconds later. After a throw-in by freshman Femi Awodesu, Reedy and Bloyou both had touches before Bloyou sent a perfect pass across the box to Evans to slot it home for a two-goal advantage for the home team.


The Nittany Lions would head into the break with the cushion 2-0 lead, knowing they still had plenty of work to do to keep the scoreboard how they wanted to see it.

Barely 10 minutes into the second half, Penn State struck again to make it 3-0. Reedy worked through the Ohio State defenders in the box and eventually passed it to sophomore Alex Stevenson who sent it right back to Reedy before Bloyou got his right foot on it and hit the back of the net in the top-right corner for his second goal of the day.


Ohio State had a good look on target in the 62nd minute but sophomore goalkeeper Kris Shakes was there for the save to keep the Buckeyes out of the net.

In the 71st minute, the Nittany Lions had back-to-back chances to find their fourth goal by redshirt senior Brandon Hackenberg and sophomore Liam Butts but both shots were off target.

Mangione had another shot in the 80th minute that was saved by Lawrence.

The Buckeyes spoiled the Nittany Lions' shutout hopes, scoring in the 88th minute, but Penn State would still take a 3-1 final to advance to the semifinal game.

UP NEXT
With the win, Penn State advances to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals. As the No. 2 seed, the Nittany Lions will host No. 3-seed Michigan, who beat No. 6-seed Michigan State in its quarterfinal game Saturday, on Wednesday, April 14 at Jeffrey Field. Time and TV designations still to be determined.

GAME NOTES

  • Junior transfer Danny Bloyou recorded his second multi-goal game of the season. His first came against Rutgers on March 15.
  • Bloyou also recorded a single game career-high five points on two goals and an assist to lead all scorers in the game.
  • Freshman Tyger Evans scored his first career goal, the eventual game-winner.
  • Penn State is now a perfect 5-0-0 against the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.