UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer dropped a Labor Day home contest, 3-1, to No. 23-ranked Missouri State at Jeffrey Field on Monday evening in University Park, Pennsylvania. Midfielder Malick Daouda was the lone Penn Stater to earn a spot on the scoresheet.
Penn State falls to 1-2-1 with the loss, while Missouri State improves to 2-1-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First half
Penn State opened the scoring early, getting a goal in the seventh minute of action. A Missouri State buildup attempt from the back of the Bear’s half ended up at the head of Daouda. The midfielder took just three touches towards the visitors 18-yard box, blasting a shot from just outside and burying the ball in the bottom left corner.
Just *chef's kiss*#WeAre pic.twitter.com/2opgwRnubr
— Penn State Men’s Soccer (@PennStateMSOC) September 1, 2025
As both squads settled in, back-and-forth play ensued. Missouri State trailed for the next 31 minutes before finally breaking the drought when a long ball trickled down the left sideline, allowing a clear one-touch ball into the penalty box which the MSU striker put behind Penn State goalkeeper Fredrick Grundin.
Second half
Missouri State took the lead in the 52nd minute after a caution to freshman Matt Eger gave the Bears a look five yards outside of the box. MSU opted to pass across the top of the penalty area, where the opposing forward took one touch to open up and then curled the ball into the back of the net.
The Bear’s tacked on one more to ensure victory, scoring on an open look in the box in the 86th minute.
OF NOTE
- Daouda’s goal is his first score of the season and third of his career.
- Penn State has won the shot battle in all four games this season.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions stay home for the second contest of the week, taking on Mercyhurst in a Friday night battle on September 5 at Jeffrey Field. Kickoff in University Park, Pennsylvania is set for 7 p.m. Action will be streamed live on B1G+.