UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State men's soccer cruises to a 3-0 shutout win over Detroit Mercy in the second game of back-to-back victories at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions have outscored their opponents 7-0 in just two games this week.
Three different goal scorers for Penn State propelled the team to another dominant win. Seniors Peter Mangione and Femi Awodesu found the back of the net for the second-straight game and sophomore defender Matthew Henderson scored his first collegiate goal.
The Nittany Lions improve to 9-3-3 overall, 4-2-1 Big Ten as they head into their final regular season game of the year with a chance to win the regular season Big Ten title.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The Nittany Lions pressed early moving the ball in the Detroit Mercy defensive end during the opening minutes. A shot from Mangione 33 seconds after the first whistle blew began the pressure.
A foul on Morgan Marshall in the box by the Titans' keeper came after a perfectly placed pass from Mohamed Cisset. The foul drawn by Marshall allowed Mangione to step to the line for a penalty kick. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and goals leader shot the ball past the Detroit Mercy goalkeeper who dove the opposite direction.
Kris Shakes' diving save to tip the ball over the top corner of the net, saved a threatening scoring chance for the Titans at the 20-minute mark.
Steady possession continued through the first half, with Penn State outshooting Detroit Mercy 6-2. The score after 45 minutes was 1-0.
Second Half
A bang-bang play from Mangione to Liscum to Awodesu resulted in the Nittany Lions' second goal of the night just over four minutes into the second stanza. Awodesu beat his defenders and sent a pristine shot to the bottom corner of the net to give Penn State a two-goal advantage,
Matthew Henderson, a starting member of the Penn State back line, found himself on a corner kick under two minutes later. His curler of a ball made its way to the Titans' keeper whose save was unable to keep the ball out of the goal. The sophomore's point gave the Nittany Lions a three-goal edge.
The score remained at 3-0, marking Penn State's second consecutive win at Jeffrey Field this week.
OF NOTE
- Mangione's ninth goal of the season marks the 30th of his career and keeps him at the top of the conference in goals scored.
- Awodesu scored his second goal of the season which marks the first time in his career he has netted a goal in back-to-back games.
- Henderson's corner kick goal is the first of his collegiate career.
- Kris Shakes earned his eighth clean sheet of the season between the pipes.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions conclude the regular season at Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct. 29 with the Big Ten regular season title on the line. Kick off in Madison is set for 12:30 p.m. est.