UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer kicked of 2025 right with a 2-0 win over the visiting Stetson Hatters in Thursday night’s season opener. Redshirt-freshman Jonathan Evans posted a clean sheet in his first career appearance. Junior Caden Grabfelder net both goals for the Blue and White.
Penn State moves to a record of 1-0-0 while Stetson falls to 0-1-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First half
An early yellow to junior Freddie Bell practically opened the contest, but the caution did not waiver the Nittany Lion attack as Penn State continued to press on.
Grabfelder broke the stalemate with a rocket to the left upper 90 from more than 25 yards out. Defender Samuel Ovesen earned the assist when he connected with the midfielder on a well-paced pass though the center of the pitch.
Back-and-forth play followed, with only a momentary stoppage for a caution to Stetson midfielder Benjamin Donato.
Neither team tallied to close the half, and Penn State maintained the 1-0 edge over the Hatters going into the break.
Second half
The Hatters came out of half with a chip, holding possession consistently in the Nittany Lions defensive end. The backs, headlined by center defenders Ben Liscum and Matiwos Rumley held their own and prevented so much as a shot from the visiting team.
Bell posted a pair of shots near the 63rd minute to right the Penn State attack. The shift in the attack put the Hatters on their heels and Stetson garnered back-to-back yellow cards, the second of which came in the 75th minute. Penn State set up shop right outside the visitor’s 18-yard box on the resulting free kick. Grabfelder eyed up his shot and, after a deflection off the wall of defenders, found the back of the Stetson net to pull the Nittany Lions away, 2-0.
Stetson began to retaliate, earning a fourth yellow card with less than nine minutes to go.
The Nittany Lions were content to possess the rest of the game, not firing another shot until the closing five minutes of action. No goals came from the boots, and Penn State started the season off with a win.
OF NOTE
- Grabfelder’s two goals mark the first multi-goal game of his collegiate career.
- Transfers Rumley and Kai Phillip made their first starts for the Blue and White.
- Freshman Jeppe Runge also made his first collegiate start.
- Ovesen’s assist marks the second of his career.
- Penn State opened a campaign with a win at Jeffrey Field for the first time since the 2015 season.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions hit the road this weekend to take on Army West Point on Thursday, August 24 at Malek Stadium at Clinton Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.