MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Addis Tafese punched Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team's ticket to the United East Championship Game when he netted the game-winning goal with less than three minutes to play in an exhilarating 2-1 victory over Lancaster Bible in conference tournament semifinal action on Tuesday night, Nov. 3.
Tafese's marker proved the deciding score, while Djibril Fall converted the game's first marker off an assist from Jonathan Hernandez. Penn State Harrisburg's defense limited the Chargers (9-9-1) to just two shots on goal and goalkeeper Jimmy Shensky needed to make just one stop to preserve the win.
After 82 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Lions (9-7-2) finally broke through when Hernandez connected with a driving Fall with less than eight minutes left to play. Hernandez lofted a ball into the box and Fall chased it down before heading it over Lancaster Bible goalkeeper Chris Jackson and into the back of the net.
The lead wouldn't last long, however, as the visitors converted the equalizer just 97 seconds later. With a potential overtime period looming and little more than three minutes remaining in the second half, Penn State Harrisburg got play restarted with a throw in and LBC tried to head it away but Tafese charged the bouncing ball and smashed it past Jackson and into the left side of the net to give the Lions a lead they wouldn't relinquish again.
NOTABLES
- All three of the game's goals were scored in the final eight minutes.
- The Lions outshot Lancaster Bible 20-5 overall and 9-2 in shots on goal.
- Each team earned four corner kicks on the night.
- Tafese's memorable goal was his fifth marker of the season.
- Fall's marker was his fourth goal of the fall.
- Hernandez's assist was his third helper of the year.
- Penn State Harrisburg will make its second straight conference championship game appearance and eighth conference title game appearance overall.
WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg will look to avenge a midseason loss and capture its second consecutive conferred title = when they travel to top-seeded Penn State Abington for the United East Championship Game 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.
