READING, Pa. – The Gallaudet University men's soccer team turned in a strong defensive second half Saturday afternoon as the Bison held Penn St.-Berks scoreless over the final 45 minutes of a 4-0 loss in the United East Conference opener at Berks Turf Field.
Gallaudet (0-7, 0-1 United East) received another strong performance in goal from sophomore
John McCabe (Norwalk, Conn.), who finished with 18 saves. McCabe made nine saves in each half and highlighted the Bison's second-half defensive effort when he stopped a Penn St.-Berks penalty kick from freshman midfielder Amani Pierre in the 48th minute.
Penn St.-Berks (2-6-2, 1-0 United East) scored its first two goals in the 15th and 28th minutes as senior midfielder Terridine Grant found the back of the net twice. The Nittany Lions remained ahead 2-0 until the final 77 seconds of the opening half when junior defender Nicolas Harrison and senior forward Keegan Redcay scored 47 seconds apart to send Penn St.-Berks into halftime with a 4-0 advantage.
The Bison regrouped at halftime and kept the Nittany Lions off the scoreboard despite continued pressure. McCabe stopped all nine shots on goal he faced in the second half, including the penalty kick, as Gallaudet played Penn St.-Berks even on the scoreboard over the final 45 minutes.
Senior midfielder
Gideon Nyame (Bismarck, N.D.) recorded Gallaudet's lone shot on goal in the 24th minute, which was stopped by Penn St.-Berks senior goalie Josh Martin. Sophomore forward
Xavier De Leon (Methuen, Mass.) added a shot in the 70th minute.
Grant led the Nittany Lions with two goals, while Harrison finished with a goal and an assist and freshman defender Sean Leeser contributed two assists.
BISON TRACKS
- McCabe has recorded 18 or more saves in four games this season.
- McCabe has made 59 saves (19.6 per game) over Gallaudet's last three games.
- Saturday marked the United East Conference opener for both teams.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet returns home to Hotchkiss Field on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to host conference foe Notre Dame of Maryland University (1-3-2, 0-1 United East) at 5 p.m.
