PISCATAWAY, N.J.- Penn State men's soccer falls to Rutgers 2-1 in Piscataway, N.J. Despite falling behind by two after the first half, the Nittany Lions managed to hold the Scarlet Knights to no shots for over 45 minutes of play and buried a goal in the final minute off the foot of Peter Mangione.
Penn State moves to 7-3-3 overall, 3-2-1 Big Ten.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
An early offensive press for Rutgers forced Kris Shakes to make a goal-stopping save. The Scarlet Knights kept their offense going, managing to find the back of the net in the 18th minute.
Rutgers found a second goal in the 33rd minute to make the score 2-0 at the half.
Second Half
The Nittany Lions came out of the break with fire taking seven shots throughout the first 15 minutes of the half.
Samson Kpardeh rocketed a shot from 40-yards out that missed just a hair to the left.
Mangione also found himself in front of the net after Femi Awodesu fed him a pass in the box. Mangione turned and struck but the post came up with the save.
After Van Danielson's powerful shot hit the cross bar, Mangione took one touch and sent the ball to the left corner of the net from the top of the box.
The final score was 2-1 in favor of Rutgers.
OF NOTE
- Mangione scored his seventh goal of the season and 28th of his career.
- The Nittany Lions held the Scarlet Knights to no shots from 12 minutes on the clock in the first half to 11 minutes on the clock in the second half.
- Penn State outshot Rutgers 19-12 with its most shots of the season in a single game.
- This was Rutgers' first win at home against Penn State in 10 years.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions return home to host Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 22 for senior day. Kick off at Jeffrey Field.