MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team fell 4-2 on Tuesday night, Sept. 15 to York (Pa.) in a non-conference matchup.
Moussa Cherif scored the first goal of the night just 11 minutes into the contest, while
Addis Tafese had a marker late in the second half.
Ethan Smith was met with constant pressure for the Spartans (4-1-1), tallying three saves on 18 total shots.
Although York (Pa.) generated the first recorded shot and corner opportunity, it was Penn State Harrisburg (0-4-1) who found the net first thanks to a goal by Cherif in the 11th minute. The visitors hounded the Lions' defense and forced Penn State Harrisburg's backline to block a shot and a header towards goal, while also protecting against several corner kicks. The Spartans knotted the score up 1-1 when Gavin Huey sent one past Smith just seven minutes after Cherif's marker.
The home team put shots on goal thanks to
Jallah Murvee and
Josiah Shamberger, but Jake Bono saved both before Aiden Hall converted a penalty to give York (Pa.) the slight 2-1 edge. Talen Popolis added yet another goal for the Spartans off an assist from Tannor Wiszneski, which brought the score to 3-1 going into halftime.
The Lions spent the opening stretch of the second half absorbing the pressure by York (Pa.), with Smith saving a pair of shots and another attempt hitting the crossbar. The visitors furthered their lead 4-1 when Hayden Whetsel scored, but then it was Tafese that answered for Penn State Harrisburg to cut the deficit to two. The home team pressed late with eight shots over the final eight minutes, including Tafese forcing a save and hitting the crossbar,
Jonathan Hernandez putting an attempt on target, and
Colin O'Hara hitting the post.
Ian Cuatianquiz sent the last Lions' attempt wide and York (Pa.) closed out the match 4-2.
NOTABLES
- Tafese netted the tenth goal of his career against the Spartans.
- Cherif scored the initial goal for the Lions, which marked the first one of his career.
- Smith spent all 90 minutes in goal for Penn State Harrisburg, recording a trio of saves.
- The two squads ended with just two points difference in shots, York (Pa.) with 18 and Penn State Harrisburg with 16.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. for a non-conference contest against Carnegie Mellon. First serve is at 7:30 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @
pshbgathletics.
