BLOOMINGTON, Ind.- Penn State men's soccer falls 1-0 to its Big Ten regular season co-champions Indiana in the tournament finals. The Hoosiers claim the double and earn the automatic bid from the Big Ten Conference to the NCAA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Indiana claimed possession in the early moments after the opening whistle. The Hoosiers' nine shots throughout the first period tested the Nittany Lions defense.
Kris Shakes held strong between the pipes making two massive saves throughout the half.
Indiana managed a goal in the 38th minute off the foot of Samuel Sarver to give than a 1-0 edge.
Subs checked in for the Nittany Lions and made an immediate difference in the control of the field, helping Penn State maintain possession through the second part of the first stanza. Ben Liscum moved the ball through the midfield and gave the Nittany Lions their first shot of the half.
Penn State continued offensive pressure with the ball staying in Indiana's defensive half for most of the final 20 minutes of the period, but the score stayed in favor of the Hoosiers.
Second Half
The Nittany Lions got their shot total up, attempting to score 11 times throughout the second half, six of which were off the foot of Mangione.
The senior co-captain, Mangione had an opportunity to find the back of the net several times but was blocked by Indiana defenders. A corner kick taken by Matthew Henderson nearly curled into the net, hitting the post.
The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year came as close as he could to finding the back of the net, sending a laser that Indiana keeper JT Harms just got a piece of to send to the post.
Despite Penn State pressing hard in the second half and creating opportunities up until the final whistle, the final score stayed 1-0 Indiana.
OF NOTE
- Mangione tied his season high in shots with six.
- Mangione and Shakes were named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
- Shakes was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions await the NCAA Tournament Selection show, scheduled from Monday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.