Early Goals Lead Men’s Soccer Past Wells, 2-0
ALTOONA, Pa. – Penn State Altoona men's soccer scored two goals in the first 11:01 of Saturday afternoon's game against new Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Wells College, and the Lions made their lead stand up for the rest of the contest, shutting out the Express 2-0 at Spring Run Stadium.
Connor McBride (Philadelphia, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) and Bailey Musselman (Altoona, PA/Altoona) were the goal scorers for Penn State Altoona (2-1-1, 1-0 AMCC), with McBride's representing the first of his collegiate career.
Sasha Mohoruk (State College, PA/State College) picked up his second victory of the season between the pipes, making one save for his first shutout as a member of the Penn State Altoona men's soccer team.
Penn State Altoona wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, tallying the game's first goal at the 7:08 mark. A deflection in front of the Wells (0-4-2, 0-1 AMCC) net came back to McBride, who was positioned just outside the top of the box. From there, he fired a shot top shelf to give the Lions an early lead.
Penn State Altoona struck again less than four minutes later, taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity. Daniel Persiko (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) sent a corner into the box, where it connected with Musselman, who headed the ball past the keeper at 11:01. The tally was Musselman's first of the season, and it upped the Lions' lead to 2-0.
Musselman's goal ultimately capped the scoring, with Penn State Altoona riding its 2-0 lead for the rest of the game. The Lions stifled Wells throughout the day, limiting the Express to just eight shot attempts and one shot on goal.
By game's end, Penn State Altoona held a 25-8 advantage over the Express in shot attempts, including a 14-1 lead in shots on goal. The Lions also posted a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.
Luke Hall (State College, PA/State College) led all players in the game with 10 shot attempts, putting five on goal. Luca Galieti (Broomall, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) had four shot attempts with two on goal, while Musselman and Jeff Stritzl (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) each finished with two shots on goal in two attempts.
Penn State Altoona remains at home for its next game, when the Lions will welcome AMCC opponent La Roche University to campus this Tuesday, September 26. That matchup is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
