UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State ends a tough battle against No. 18 West Virginia with a 3-2 victory. The Nittany Lions' record is now 1-1-1 overall.
FIRST HALF
West Virginia managed to outshoot the Nittany Lions 5-2 in the first half, but the score was knotted after 45 minutes of play at 1-1. In the 19th minute West Virginia's Luke McCormick got one past Kris Shakes in goal despite strong defense from Penn State.
The Nittany Lions kept pressing and their efforts paid off in the 44th minute. Matthew Henderson battled the Mountaineers defense and sent a ball in the box to meet Peter Mangione. Mangione headed the ball past West Virginia's goalie to even the score going into the second half.
SECOND HALF
Despite solid Penn State possession to open the half, West Virginia notched a goal in the 57th minute to pull ahead again.
The Nittany Lions continued to press, and found a result from Liam Butts when he caused the Mountaineers to turn the ball over just outside the box. Butts dribbled past the defender and sent the ball into the right corner of the net to tie the score yet again.
Just under five minutes later, a West Virginia defender fouled a Nittany Lion forward to set them up for a scoring opportunity. Mangione was on the kick and sent the ball past the Mountaineer goalkeeper who dove the opposite way.
Penn State maintained a strong defense and caused another penalty kick that Mangione knocked off the crossbar, to hold the score at 3-2.
OF NOTE
- Mangione and Butts scored their first goals of the season.
- The Nittany Lions are now 1-0 against ranked opponents so far this season.
- Mangione has now scored 15 career goals.
- Freshman Matthew Henderson made his first collegiate appearance at forward.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions travel to Fairfax, Va. to take on George Mason on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 5). Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.