MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team won the 2025 United East Championship thanks to a game-winning penalty kick by Addis Tafese in just the 6th minute of the contest and a pair of second-half markers from Liam Gohn and Josiah Shamberger that put the exclamation point on the 3-0 victory on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8.


Byron Hines was named the United East Tournament most valuable player (MVP) after his defensive prowess helped secure the shutout victory for Penn State Harrisburg.


The Lions (11-6-3) put the pressure on the Wildcats (11-7-2) early and often in the title game, which led to the home team earning a penalty kick in just the 6th minute. Tafese answered the call and netted the ball past Penn College goalkeeper Justin Crismale to put Penn State Harrisburg up 1-0. Although the contest remained scoreless until the second half, the hosts tallied four more shots in the first frame, with Andres Cantillo forcing Crismale to defend the goal and Malachi Abma's attempt hitting the crossbar. Before going into halftime, Penn College's Robert Antonini had a shot of his own and William Kim recorded the defensive safe on the attempt.


The second half began with a handful of fouls between both sides, before the Wildcats had a offensive surge and recorded a pair of shots that went right of the goal. In the 76th-minute, McWilliams found a running Gohn who slipped the ball into the left side of the net to tally the second marker of the game for the Lions. Three minutes later, Shamberger snuck one past Crismale in goal, thanks to an assist by Isaacs, to provide a comfortable 3-0 cushion that last throughout the rest of the conference, concluding with the Lions securing the United East Championship Title.


NOTABLES
- The conference championship is the fourth in program history. The Lions also captured conference titles in 2022, 2021, and 2019.
- With the win over Penn College, Penn State Harrisburg earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history.
- Tafese's game-winner marked his third of the season and his eighth total goal on the season.
- Isaacs and McWilliams both tallied an assist each on the day.
- Shamberger scored his third marker of the season, while Gohn recorded his ninth goal of the year.
- Erik Rodriguez spent all 90 minutes in goal for the Lions.
- The Lions outshot the Wildcats 13-5, while the visitors had five corners compared to Penn State Harrisburg's four. 


WHO'S NEXT? 
By capturing the conference title, the Lions earned an automatic berth in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Penn State Harrisburg's first-round opponent and location will be revealed during the men's soccer selection show on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 10.


STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @pshbgathletics.