PHILADELPHIA , Pa. – The Penn State men's soccer team (3-1-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) scored twice in the second half to top in-state foe Penn (2-1-0, 0-0-0 Ivy League), 2-1, Friday evening at Rhodes Field. The Nittany Lions improved to 26-6-3 all-time against Penn and extended their winning streak over to Quakers to five games.
"That was a well-earned road victory against a very determined Penn team," said head coach Jeff Cook. "I am tremendously proud of our student-athletes for their resilience to get back into the game and an outstanding late goal by Liam Butts."
The Quakers struck first, netting a goal in the ninth minute of action as a shot from Isaac McGinnis slide just under the outstretched arms of junior goalkeeper Kris Shakes to give Penn a 1-0 advantage.
Following the goal, the Nittany Lions midfield and forwards looked for the equalizing goal.
Penn State's first opportunity to tie the match came in the 28th minute as Seth Kuhn's shot was saved and the deflection came to the feet of redshirt senior captain Brandon Hackenberg. Hackenberg sent his left-footed shot towards the lower corner of the net but a kick save by the Quaker keeper denied the scoring chance.
The Nittany Lions continued to pressure the backline of Penn but were unable to score the tying goal in the first 45 minutes of action.
Penn State held the majority of the possession in the first half and that transitioned into the early stages of the second half.
In the 52nd minute, the Nittany Lions took advantage of a Penn mistake. The Quaker keeper came off his line in an attempt to clear a long pass forward. Sophomore Peter Mangione secured the ball and found junior Andrew Privett in the box and Privett slotted his shot into the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1. It was Privett's team-leading third goal of the season.
The Penn State defense continued to hold firm throughout the second half, allowing just four shots, none on goal.
With the clock just crossing the 80-minute mark, junior Alex Stevenson headed a ball into the box to the feet of classmate Liam Butts. Butts blasted a shot into the back left corner of the net to put the Nittany Lions ahead with his second goal of the season.
Over the final 10 minutes of the match, the Quaker attacked attempted to break the stout defense of the Nittany Lions but were unsuccessful and the Nittany Lions secured a 2-1 win over Penn.
The Nittany Lions return to State College for their next match against No. 15 Pitt on Monday, September 13 at Jeffrey Field. The game will be broadcast on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET.
GAME NOTES
- Junior Liam Butts scored his first game-winning goal of the season and the sixth of his Penn State career.
- Junior Andrew Privett's third goal of the season surpasses his previous career best in goals for a season (2, 2019).
- Freshman Sean Bettenhausen made his first career start in the midfield.
- The Nittany Lions win over Penn extended their winning streak over the Quakers to five games. It was the first matchup between the two programs since September 23, 2015.
- The Nittany Lions came from behind to win for the second-straight game.
- Penn State has scored multiple goals in all three of its wins this season