COBLESKILL, N.Y. - The Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer team wanted redemption after its tough loss on Saturday to the defending North Eastern Atlantic Conference (NEAC) champs from SUNYIT on Saturday, Sep. 29. The team's next outing the very next day would be a different story against SUNY Cobleskill as the Lions held off the Tigers for a 1-0 win.
The conditions were wet and muddy which made things interesting from the opening whistle. The ball was moving quickly and so were the challenges and slide tackles. The first of two yellow cards for Cobleskill came when a dangerous cleats-up tackle went through one of the Lion midfielders early in the game.
The first good chance for the blue and white came less than 15 minutes into the game when a great passing combination ended with a diagonal through ball to outside midfielder Josh Bitner (Conestoga, Pa. / Penn Manor). The senior's well-placed shot was saved by the diving Tigers' keeper getting just enough of a touch to deflect it from reaching the net.
The visitors would not allow themselves to be denied a score or the win today. Seven minutes before the half, Matthew Hyson (Bel Air, Md. / Calvert Hall) took a great free kick from over 30 yards out that skipped into the goalie who made a nice first save. Isaac Amedza, (Philadelphia, Pa. / Samuel Fels) following the shot like a pro, was there for an easy finish and his first goal of the season as well as what would turn out to be the all-important game-winner.
The Lions had two great chances to add to the score in the second half. One came from Alex Belanger (Carlisle, Pa. / Big Spring) who fought past two defenders and the goalie before somehow getting a shot off while being manhandled in the box. Unfortunately he did not get the call or the finish as he missed the shot just wide.
Donovan Nicholson (Miami, Fl. / Monsignor Edward Pace) had the final chance for the blue and white as he worked hard to gather a mis-cleared ball from the SUNY Cobleskill keeper creating an open net opportunity for himself with three minutes to go in the game. As it seemed to fall all day for Penn State Harrisburg, the ball again missed just wide.
The Lions, taking their lead from their calm and composed Head Coach Seamus Donnelly, kept their cool the entire game and avoided any cards and stayed strong in picking up the important conference win today.
"This road trip was good for the team," said Donnelly after the victory. "We learned a lot in defeat yesterday and we came back strong today. The boys got to spend time with each other in a different environment and everyone played their part on the pitch as well. That is all the coaching staff can ask for and now we continue trying to get better in everything we do."
The Penn State Harrisburg men have a real test ahead in their next game this Wednesday, Oct. 3 when they take on York College in a rare home night game.