UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State men's soccer hands No. 12 Northwestern its first loss of the 2023 season with two second half goals from captains Femi Awodesu and Peter Mangione. The Nittany Lions battled from behind to pull out an important victory at Jeffrey Field on Friday night.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," said head coach Jeff Cook. "I gave them two goals going into this game and they achieved both. I have full belief in our squad and the heart they showed tonight".
The Nittany Lions move to 7-2-3 overall, 3-1-1 Big Ten.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The sun set pink over Jeffrey Field with the Nittany Lions wearing their throwback black and pink kits.
A handball just outside the box under five minutes in gave Penn State its first offensive chance. Sean Bettenhausen sent the ball to Awodesu whose header went just wide. Minutes, later the same situation arose with Bettenhausen over the ball and Awodesu's header missing just high.
A feed from Ben Liscum down the left corner found Atem Kato who bicycle kicked a shot that the Northwestern keeper just tipped.
Despite Penn State outshooting Northwestern in the first half 7-3, the Wildcats struck first in the 35th minute making the score 1-0 at the break.
Second Half
A massive save from Shakes in the first minutes held the Wildcats from taking a two-goal lead early in the second half.
The Nittany Lions found a connection in the 62nd minute. A shot from Liscum was saved but Awodesu found himself in the right place and sent a one-touch bullet to the back of the net to knot the score at ones.
A counterattack from Van Danielson led Samson Kpardeh for a breakaway down the left side. His cross found Mangione who managed to bury another one-touch shot for the game-winning goal. Penn State owned a 2-1 edge at the final whistle.
OF NOTE
- Awodesu scored his first goal of the season and fourth of his career.
- Mangione's goal marked his sixth goal of the season and 28th of his career.
- This is Penn State's first top-25 win of the season and first top-12 win since 2021.
- Morgan Marshall made his first collegiate start as a Nittany Lion.
- Penn State outshot Northwestern 13-8.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions head to Rutgers on Tuesday, Oct. 17 for a midweek Big Ten match up. Kick off is set for 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.