UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State men's soccer shutout Maryland 1-0 to win its seventh consecutive Mack Brady match, marking the first time the Nittany Lions shut down the Terapins since 2005. The win also signifies head coach Jeff Cook's 50th win as leader of the program. The Nittany Lions move to 4-1-2 overall, 2-0 Big Ten.
Peter Mangione is responsible for the electric goal in the 38th minute of the game. Kris Shakes earned his third clean sheet of the season between the pipes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
A steady back-and-forth for both teams was the theme of the first half. Neither team recorded a shot until the Terps put one on the board in the 14th minute.
Shakes stopped three scoring chances in goal during the opening 45 minutes to keep the score at 0-0 for 38 minutes of play.
A fast offensive surge for the Nittany Lions began with Caden Grabfelder intercepting a Maryland pass attempt and winning the ball for Penn State. His run was quieted by a Terps defender but collected again by Mangione who moved the ball in two strides before releasing a rocket to the back of the net.
The Nittany Lions owned a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Second Half
A massive save for Shakes resulting from a Terrapin scoring chance held the advantage for the Nittany Lions. His quick reflexes and diving effort stopped a shot on goal.
A flick pass behind the back of Samson Kpardeh to Mangione running through the box was saved by the Maryland goalkeeper to threaten a two-goal edge.
Several Penn State corner kicks came up just shy of another point. The Nittany Lions totaled seven corner kicks throughout the second half, more than they have produced in a half this season so far.
A late one-on-one opportunity between Butts and the Terps' keeper was stopped by the player in yellow. Maryland responded with pressure of its own, sailing a shot high to leave the final score at 1-0 in favor of Penn State.
OF NOTE
- Penn State is now 8-1-2 in Mack Brady Matches.
- Cook led the team to his 50th victory as head of the blue & white.
- The Nittany Lions blanked the Terrapins for the first time since 2005 when the final score was 1-0.
- Peter Mangione scored his second goal of the year and 23rd of his career.
- Shakes' five saves on the night moves his career total to 236.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions hit the road to face non-conference opponent UNC Greensboro on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.