Posted: Sep 23, 2012
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer team continued to keep the fans entertained on Sunday, Sep. 23. All season long their games have been filled with hard working plays and today the men were rewarded with another exciting victory, this time a 1-0 win over North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) rival Wells.
The Lions latest effort was back and forth from the beginning but goals were hard to come by. The Express almost struck early when one of their fast attacking forwards nearly found the back of the net. Thankfully for the blue and white, the post was Penn State Harrisburg goalkeeper Charlie Hyson's (Bel Air, Md. / Calvert Hall) best friend helping him on his way to a well-earned shutout.
It was easy to see that Head Coach Seamus Donnelly was not happy with his team's first half performance as he spoke with his team during nearly the halftime break. Whatever he said must have worked as the Lions came out moving the ball as a team as well as winning a majority of the 50/50 balls in the second half.
All it took to get the win was one great effort from Penn State Harrisburg's Jimmy Bilger (Slatington, Pa. / Northern Lehigh). He took a shot from the outside that screamed into the side panel giving the Wells keeper little opportunity to make a save. The Express did their best to push numbers up at the end of the game looking for an equalizer, but the Lions held strong and looked comfortable in holding on for the win.
"Back-to-back conference games against two tough opponents was always going to be a very difficult proposition," said Head Coach Seamus Donnelly about this weekend's two wins.
"The lads dug really deep today and we held together as a team. The character and willingness to do whatever it takes was in full evidence this weekend."
"I don't think the team has reached its true potential yet but we are getting closer with every game," he continued. "Now it is my job to continue to ask them to raise the quality a little bit each game as we move through the season."
Penn State Harrisburg has a busy week of traveling ahead of them. They play three road games starting with Valley Forge Christian on Tuesday, Sep. 25 before heading to New York to take on SUNYIT Saturday, Sep. 29 and SUNY Cobleskill the next day.