MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – The No. 24 Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer team capped the regular season by knocking off No. 2 Messiah in a 1-0 thriller on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30. Joey Aman netted the game-winner in the 29th minute and the defense turned in a sterling all-around effort in the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Penn State Harrisburg (13-1-1) emerged victorious in a battle of two of the nation's best teams on Saturday afternoon, handing Messiah (14-1-2) its first loss of the year in each team's regular season finale.

The visitors had a chance to get on the board first but Jon Gartley turned away the Falcons with a stellar defensive save in the 23rd minute. With things still scoreless less than seven minutes later, Sebastian Krysztofowicz lofted a ball into the box and Aman finished it off with a header that skirted past Messiah goalkeeper Jared Pavlovich and into the back of the net in the 29th minute.

The Lions finished the half strong and kept the visitors off the board heading into the break. Messiah made a push late in the second half in an attempt to net the equalizer but the Blue & White defense turned away the Falcons on a pair of corner kicks, including one in the game's final 20 seconds to seal the thrilling victory.

NOTABLES

- No. 2 Messiah is the highest-ranked team ever beaten by Penn State Harrisburg.

- The Lions end the regular season with a 12-game unbeaten streak.

- Joey Aman netted his team-leading 12th goal of the season in the win.

- With the marker, Aman also broke the program's career record for game-winning goals (13).

- Sebastian Krysztofowicz's helper was his fourth assist of the season.

- The Falcons earned three corner kicks, while the Blue & White managed one.

- Goalkeeper Nicholas Guglielmetti made three saves to earn the shutout victory.

WHO'S NEXT?

With the regular season in the books, the Lions will turn their attention to next weekend's United East Championship Tournament. Penn State Harrisburg, the top seed, will host the tournament's final four beginning on Friday night, Nov. 5. The Blue & White will host Penn State Abington in the opening contest at 5 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.