MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - For the first time since joining the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), the Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer team advanced to the NEAC Championship game to face the SUNY IT Wildcats. In their first meeting, SUNY IT edged out the Lions 2-1 in overtime, handing the Lions one of only two conference losses all season. In dramatic fashion, the championship game was decided by penalty kicks where SUNY IT earned the NEAC title.
Early in the first half, Josh Bitner (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) opened up the scoring with an unassisted goal from the left wing to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead. Just a minute later, though, SUNY IT tied up the game as Diego Montaleza netted a goal on a free kick. The score remained tied at 1-1 throughout regulation time and two overtime periods forcing penalty kicks to decide the outcome of the game.
Each team alternated taking penalty kicks in the best-of-five shootout. SUNY IT missed their first penalty kick but would not miss again as they outshot the Lions 4-3 to take the 2010 NEAC Championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Lions finished 12-4-2 (7-2-2 NEAC), making this their best season in recent history. First year coach Lester Felician took a talented team to new heights. The Lions outscored their opponents 56-27 and outshot them 382-166, finishing the season ranked 5th in NCAA Division III for scoring offense.