MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team used a pair of early goals to set the tone in a 2-1 conference victory over Penn College in a rematch of last season's United East Championship Game on Thursday night, Oct. 8.
Addis Tafese scored a goal and added an assist, while Josiah Shamberger netted the game's first goal. Kristopher Lage and Tai Bhalla each recorded a helper and Jimmy Shensky made four saves in goal to preserve the win.
The Lions (4-6-2, 3-0-1 United East) wasted no time getting on the board, taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity that was inserted by Diego Menendez little more than a minute into the contest. Tafese headed the ball to Lage who headed it to Shamberger who headed it past goalkeeper Justin Crismale and into the back of the net to put the home team out in front just 1:25 into the game.
Penn State Harrisburg added another goal 16 minutes later when Bhalla blasted a ball from beyond midfield towards the feet of Tafese who gathered the pass, worked past a defender, and put his attempt past Crismale to double the advantage with 27:09 remaining before halftime.
The Wildcats (6-4-3, 3-1-0 United East) had two chances to cut the deficit in half midway through the first half but Shensky made back-to-back saves on attempts from Connor Dunne and Andrew Mathes from point blank range to keep the visitors off the board.
Penn College finally broke through and found the back of the net after the break in the 63rd minute but Shensky turned away the potential equalizer two minutes later and the Lions kept the visitors from getting off another quality look the rest of the night.
NOTABLES
- Tafese recorded three total points thanks to a goal and an assist. His marker was his third of the fall.
- Shamberger's goal was his third of the season.
- Lage and Bhalla each recorded their first assist of the year.
- Shensky made four saves to secure the victory in goal.
- The Wildcats outshot Penn State Harrisburg 9-7 and 5-3 in shots on goal.
- The Lions finished with a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue conference play when they host Penn State Abington on Saturday afternoon.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
