EVANSTON, Ill.- No. 20 Penn State comes out with a 2-2 draw against Northwestern on the road. The Nittany Lions are now 4-3-3 overall, 1-0-2 Big Ten, and remain undefeated in conference play.
FIRST HALF
Penn State struck first in the 24th minute, after maintaining steady possession for the opening period of play. Liam Butts crossed the ball to Seth Kuhn outside the box. Kuhn found Ben Liscum to his right and Liscum launched the ball from just inside the 18 into the left corner of the net.
Northwestern answered with a goal of its own, three minutes later. Justin Weiss managed a goal from the top of the box to tie the score at 1-1.
The score remained tied going into halftime at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium.
SECOND HALF
The Nittany Lions came out of the break strong, applying pressure with an early shot from Seth Kuhn that missed high.
The forward duo of Peter Mangione and Butts struck two minutes into the second half. Butts set the ball for Mangione on his right who placed it in the lower left corner of the goal to take the lead once again.
The Wildcats wasted no time just a few minutes later, evening the score at 2-2.
Kris Shakes made three saves in goal including one crucial stop in the second half on a Northwestern offensive opportunity in the box to threaten to lead.
The Penn State offense continued to drive, taking six of its 10 total shots throughout the second period. The Nittany Lions nearly added a third goal on a long ball from Alex Stevenson to Mangione in the air. Mangione headed it just left of the net.
The score hung at 2-2 for the duration of the game.
OF NOTE
- Liscum scored his first career goal for the Nittany Lions.
- This was Mangione's fifth goal of the season and 18th of his career.
- Butts picked up an assist on both goals.
- Penn State outshot Northwestern 10-7.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions return home to host Big Ten opponent Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 7. The game his set to kick off at 7:00 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.