Wittenbrink Score Satisfies in Big Ten Quarterfinal Shutout

Friday, November 4

Bloomington, Ind.

7 p.m.

Indiana University

9-3-6, 3-1-4

Penn State

6-6-4, 3-2-3

Penn St.

Indiana

Wittenbrink Score Satisfies in Big Ten Quarterfinal Shutout

11/4/2022 11:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 4-seeded Indiana men's soccer (9-3-6, 3-1-4 B1G) has advanced to the Big Ten Tournament semifinal round for a 10th straight season following a 1-0 shutout win against No. 5 seed Penn State Friday (Nov. 4) night on Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

A team-leading eighth goal of the season from redshirt senior Ryan Wittenbrink in the 35th minute was the difference while the Hoosier defense allowed no shots on target to earn the clean sheet.

With No. 1 seed Maryland defeating No. 8 Northwestern Friday, IU and the Terrapins will meet again after the two sides tied in a dramatic final day of regular season action on October 30. The rematch will take place in College Park, Maryland, on Wednesday (Nov. 9), with kickoff time yet to be announced.

KEY MOMENTS
• 19' – Junior defender Joey Maher had the best attempt for IU before the goal. A corner from the right wing sailed his way at the back post, and Maher turned on it acrobatically to put a shot on target, but it was right at Penn State senior goalkeeper Kris Shakes.
• 35' – IU's constant pressure in their attacking third finally paid off. A shot from freshman forward Luka Bezerra was deflected to the perimeter of the box, where Wittenbrink was lurking. He took first time, pushing it low with pace to the bottom corner for the opening score.
• 45' – Indiana had its 1-0 advantage at the half after a dominant 45 minutes. The Hoosiers led in the shots category, 7-1, and had 76 percent possession. Additionally, IU earned 10 first-half corners while allowing none to Penn State.
• 90' – IU held on to its 1-0 lead while inviting some pressure late into the second half. Penn State added seven shots in the second half, but none came on target.

NOTABLES
• Indiana will play in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal for a tenth season in a row.
• IU is 7-1-3 at Bill Armstrong Stadium this season.
• The Hoosiers earned their second win over Penn State this season, marking their eighth victory in 10 matches against the Nittany Lions. IU holds a heavy advantage in the all-time series with a 37-15-5 record.
• Indiana earned its fifth shutout of the season.
• Wittenbrink tallied his team-best eighth goal to bring his point total to 22 this season, which also leads IU.
• The first-team All-Big Ten selection now leads the Big Ten with four game-winning goals.
• Wittenbrink totaled six points against this Penn State this season after adding the score Friday. He had previously tallied a goal and two assists in the 4-2 regular season win on his way to Big Ten Player of the Week laurels.
• With the assist to Wittenbrink's goal, Bezerra tallied his third goal contribution in as many matches.

UP NEXT
Indiana will travel to College Park, Maryland, for a Big Ten Tournament semifinal match with host and No. 1-seeded Maryland on Wednesday (Nov. 9). Kickoff time is yet to be announced, but the match will appear on the Big Ten Network.

#GoIU