UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- No. 19 Penn State men's soccer battles to a tough 2-1 finish in favor of Indiana. The Nittany Lions fall to 6-2-3 overall, 2-1-1 Big Ten.
Despite a quick counterattack to the Hoosiers first goal with the Nittany Lions tying the score within minutes, the defending National Runner Ups managed one more goal to earn the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
On a sunny day at Jeffrey Field, the Hoosiers started off aggressive with several shots in the early minutes to total eight on the first period.
Indiana opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a series of passes to lead Hugo Bacharach in front of the goal who found a corner of the net.
An opportunity for the Hoosiers to threaten a two-goal lead came after a foul was assessed to Kris Shakes in the box. Shakes made an unbelievable diving stop with his feet to maintain the score.
The Nittany Lions changed the direction of the game in a matter of two minutes. After another free kick was awarded to Indiana, but Shakes came up with the ball and punted it to the opposite side box to Mangione. The senior forward found the ball around JT Harms, the Hoosiers keeper, and placed it in the goal to knot the score.
The game was even at 1-1 after 45 minutes.
Second Half
The Hoosiers scored an early second half goal in the 46th minute to take a one-goal lead.
Penn State managed some dominant possessions throughout the second period to initiate an offensive press, but came up just shy.
Samson Kpardeh made the Indiana keeper work for a massive save after juking two defenders. Harms just got a finger on Kpardeh's shot to send it to the cross bar.
Kpardeh created another chance for the Nittany Lions, beating his defenders and crossing it right in front of the goal but couldn't find the foot of a teammate.
A third opportunity came off a cross to Atem Kato who headed it to Mohamed Cisset whose header went into the hands of Harms.
Cisset was issued a red card in the 89th minute.
The final score after 90 minutes was 2-1.
OF NOTE
- Mangione scored his fifth goal of the season and 26th of his career.
- Shakes' diving kick save on a penalty kick was his first penalty save of the season and second kick save.
- This was the 58th meeting between the two most winning teams in the Big Ten.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions return to Jeffrey Field action on Friday, Oct. 13 when they host Northwestern.