Offensive Outburst Propels Lions to 3-0 Win
ALTOONA, Pa. – Penn State Altoona men's soccer was able to finally overcome its early season woes on Tuesday night, when the Lions posted a 3-0 victory over Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Pitt-Greensburg at Spring Run Stadium.
The Lions (1-6, 1-1 AMCC) entered Tuesday's contest looking to get in the win column for the first time this season, while also being in search of their first goal of the year. Penn State Altoona was able to check both items off its proverbial to-do list, riding a well-rounded performance to victory.
The Lions were led by an attack that generated plenty of scoring chances throughout the night. By the end of the game, the team had tied its season-high in total shots with 15, and they recorded a season-best nine shots on goal.
Jordan Crist (Alum Bank, PA/Chestnut Ridge), Brant Aughenbaugh (Spring Grove, PA/Spring Grove), and Dakota Casey (Norwalk, CT/Canterbury) each scored goals for the Lions, and Seif Magd (Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) recorded one assist.
Meanwhile, Penn State Altoona showcased its strongest defensive effort of the season, limiting Pitt-Greensburg's (3-5-1, 1-1 AMCC) possession of the ball in the Lions' end of the field.
Lions goalkeeper Tanner Yaw (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) had a record-setting night for his team, making six saves to wrap up his first win of the year. With those six saves, Yaw moved into first place on the Penn State Altoona men's soccer program's all-time saves list, passing former Lion standout Tim Wassell (2004-05) to move into the top spot. Yaw now has 137 career saves, two better than the previous record of 135, held by Wassell.
The first half of Tuesday night's game featured plenty of back-and-forth play, with both teams getting quality offensive opportunities. But those chances did not result in any goals, and the teams were scoreless by halftime.
But Penn State Altoona finally snapped its goalless streak early in the second half. Crist dribbled outside the top right corner of the box and fired a shot on goal that deflected past the keeper at 54:33 to make it 1-0.
The Lions' attack began to take control of the pace of play, and the home team was able to tack two more goals on to its total.
Just under 15 minutes after Crist's goal, Aughenbaugh scored his first collegiate goal to double Penn State Altoona's lead. Taking a pass from Magd near the top left corner of the box, Aughenbaugh dribbled forward and curled a shot from 20 yards out into the top right corner of the goal to make it 2-0 at 69:14.
The Lions made it 3-0 at 86:30 after a quick flurry of shots. Evan Cardoza (Altoona, PA/Altoona) pulled the trigger on a hard shot in the box, which was saved by the goalkeeper. But the save deflected sharply to Casey, who fired the ball past the keeper for his first collegiate goal.
Penn State Altoona led Pitt-Greensburg 15-13 in total shots and 9-6 in shots on goal. The Bobcats held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Brad Heacock (Chadds Ford, PA/Unionville) led the Lions in total shots attempted with three, while Crist had a team-high two shots on goal.
Now, the Lions will look to continue building momentum during their three-game homestand. Penn State Altoona's next game is Thursday, September 27 at Spring Run Stadium against non-conference opponent Juniata College at 6:00 p.m.
