MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer team got off to a rocky start this season playing some tough non-league competition.  The Lions, hoping to even their record after losing their first game to Lebanon Valley College Friday night, played a strong Susquehanna University Crusaders team on Saturday, Sep. 1.  Unfortunately, the blue and white fell for the second-straight time, losing 4-1.

The Lions gave up an early goal in the first ten minutes of the game from junior forward Andrew Hayes' (Hoboken, N.J. / St. Peter's Prep) strong finish.  The Crusaders found the net again in the 23rd minute, leaving Penn State Harrisburg trailing by two goals midway through the first half. 

But Penn State Harrisburg would not go down without a fight or a goal today, as freshman Claudius Taylor (Landover, Md. / Hammond) was able to score his first goal of the season off an assist by sophomore Matt Hyson (Bel Air, Md. / Calvert Hall).  They were also unable to capitalize on another chance to even the score just before the half as a shot just missed finding the back of the Crusaders' net. 

The second half however, was all Susquehanna as they were able to find the net another two times, putting the game out of reach for the blue and white.  Although the team took another loss, according to Lions Head Coach Seamus Donnelly, "the boys worked their socks off." 

"The effort and commitment in preseason as well as the first two games has been great," he said.  "The quality of play needs to be worked on, but the boys' spirits are holding strong." 

The Lions travel to Valley Forge Christian this Tuesday along with the women's team for their first double header of the 2012 campaign.  Hopefully both teams' can bounce back after a disappointing opening weekend bring bring home a pair of wins.