MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's soccer team opened up United East Conference play with a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame (Md.) on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26.
Tai Bhalla led the Lions (2-5-1, 1-0 UEC) with a pair of goals, while
Mason Quinton and
Moussa Cherif both added a marker each. Quinton and
Jonathan Armijos tallied an assist apiece. Penn State Harrisburg's defense and goalkeeper
Jimmy Shensky kept the Gators (1-3-2, 0-1 UEC) to only a single shot on frame, which was the goal by Tassilo Lehmkuhl.
Just nine minutes into the match, Quinton sent a laser past Notre Dame (Md.) goalkeeper Camilo Huertas to make it a quick 1-0 lead for the home team. After a foul occurred in the box in the 18th minute, Bhalla was called up by the Lions to take the penalty kick and made it 2-0. Penn State Harrisburg kept the pressure on the Gators defense, creating multiple shot opportunities and corner kicks.
Notre Dame (Md.) found some life in the 34th minute when Christopher Labra found Lehmkuhl to shrink the deficit within one. The hosts sought to keep the Gators' at bay, as Cherif and
Jallah Murvee both had shots that went wide right and high, respectively. However it was ultimately Cherif who converted and brought the score to 3-1 thanks to a helper by Armijos. Cherif forced Huertas to make another save and each squad had a corner kick just before halftime.
Bhalla scored his second goal of the contest a little over a minute into the second half which was assisted by Quinton, extending the advantage to 4-1. For the remainder of the match, Penn State Harrisburg held the Gators to just a pair of corners and a single shot.
Josiah Shamberger,
Addis Tafese, and Murvee all recorded attempts during the rest of play, never letting up the on the offense pressure by the Lions.
NOTABLES
- Bhalla netted a pair of markers on the day, totaling eight goals for his career.
- Quinton recorded three points against Notre Dame (Md.), scoring a goal and adding an assist.
- Cherif tallied his second goal of the season thanks to his marker in the 38th minute.
- Armijos chipped in an assist on Cherif's marker.
- Shamberger, Tafese, and Murvee all added attempts against the Gators defense.
- Huertas recorded a trio of saves for the visitors, while Shensky only faced a single shot.
- The hosts dominated in total shots, outshooting Notre Dame (Md.) 14-3, while corner kicks were even 5-5.
WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg continues conference action when they travel to St. Mary's (Md.) on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @
pshbgathletics.
