GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over non-conference opponent Thiel College on Thursday night at Alumni Stadium.

The win helped Penn State Altoona (4-1) get out to its best start since the 2007 season, when that year's edition of the program also opened its schedule by notching four wins in its first five games. Tonight's result is also the third consecutive victory for the Lions this season.

Penn State Altoona received the game's lone score on an own goal by Thiel (0-4-2) late in the second half. A corner kick by the Lions was headed into the Tomcats' goal by one of Thiel's players, handing Penn State Altoona a 1-0 lead at the 77:10 mark.

That tally proved to be the only goal needed for the Lions to secure the win.

Tommy Packevicz (Trumbull, CT/Christian Heritage) made three saves for Penn State Altoona to record his fourth win and second shutout of the season.

Grady Ballard (State College, PA/State College) had a game-high five shots attempts, with all of them being on goal. Ciaran Corr (Newtown Square, PA/Marple Newtown) tied Ballard with five shot attempts, including two shots on goal. Damian Dangler (Warminster, PA/William Tennent), Bailey Musselman (Altoona, PA/Altoona), and Chad Reighard (Altoona, PA/Altoona) finished with two shot attempts each, including one shot on goal by Musselman.

Penn State Altoona outshot Thiel 16-7 in attempts, as well as 9-3 in shots on goal. The Lions also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Next up, Penn State Altoona will open its Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference schedule on the road this Saturday, September 18, traveling to Hamburg, N.Y. to face Hilbert College in a 2:30 p.m. game.