Indiana University
Penn State
No. 14 Indiana Falls 1-0 at Penn State
11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2008
Limited to just three shots on frame through 90 minutes of play, the 17th-ranked Indiana men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Penn State Saturday night at Jeffrey Field in State College, Pa.
Indiana drops to 9-5-3 on the season, 2-3 in Big Ten play. Penn State improves to 5-9-3, 2-3 in conference action. It is the first time since the Big Ten began sponsoring men's soccer in 1991 that the Hoosiers have lost three regular-season conference matches.
Indiana was unable to generate any offensive rhythm throughout the match. The Hoosiers tallied 12 shots, with just three of those requiring a save. Eight of 12 shots came in the second half. It is the second time in four Big Ten matches that the Hoosiers have been shut out this season and the sixth time overall.
Will Bruin had a breakaway chance in the 15th minute but his shot was blocked by a PSU defender. Bruin still had a second chance at the ball but could not get to it before it rolled out of bounds for a Penn State goal kick.
Penn State got the only goal it needed at 25:21 off the foot of Vincent Salvatico. With the Hoosiers called for a foul just outside the box, Matheus Braga took the free kick which was saved by goalkeeper Chay Cain. Cain was unable to hold onto the ball and it rolled to Salvatico, who just snuck it over the line.
It is the second time in as many visits to State College that Indiana has fallen 1-0 at the hands of the Nittany Lions.
Weaver sent in a screamer at 27:58 but the shot sailed high and wide. Kevin Alston had a shot go right to Penn State goalkeeper Warren Gross in the 31st minute.
Eric Alexander had a chance in the 57th minute, taking a shot across his body that Gross was able to get a hand on.
Bruin had a last-gasp attempt for IU when a open shot that went wide with eight seconds left in the match.
Indiana was without the services of senior captain Brad Ring for the second consecutive match. John Mellencamp again filled his role on the field and wore the captain's armband, with Billy Weaver earning his second start of the season.
Indiana closes out its regular season next Friday as it plays host to Northwestern at 6:30 p.m. at Jerry Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers will celebrate Senior Night as Cain, Ring, Mellencamp, Kevin Noschang, Brian Ackley, Nick Sutter, Weaver and Doug Reisinger will play their final regular-season home match.
