ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University men's soccer team continued its flair for the dramatic on Saturday afternoon, picking up a 2-1 overtime win over visiting Penn State Abington for its second win of the week.
Jake McDevitt scored the game-winner for the Knights in the extra session.
Billy Swontek was the other Neumann goal scorer, while
Marlon Trejo and
Mitchel Yeakley each tallied assists.
Perry Corsetti continued his stellar play in goal, making three saves in the victory.
The Knights started the match slowly, struggling to find their footing early on the hot and humid day. Despite the tepid start, Neumann registered four of the game's first six shots in the opening 20 minutes of play, but it would be Penn State Abington who would strike first. The Lions collected a loose ball in the Neumann box off a set piece and deposited it into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead at the 16:13 mark. The Knights responded with seven of the next nine shots in the game, but the team would be left frustrated heading to halftime trailing 1-0.
Neumann continued to press for an equalizer in the second half, carrying the play to the Lions for large portions of the period. The Knights fired off twelve shots in the second stanza, forcing the Penn State keeper into eight saves. Despite the pressure in the Lions end though, Neumann still trailed with under ten minutes left to play.
Following the same formula from Wednesday night's win at Ursinus, the Knights would save their best play for late in the game. After a foul gave Neumann a set piece deep in the Penn State Abington end, Trejo went to work again. The freshmen midfielder lofted a perfectly played ball to the head of Swontek who buried home an equalizer to get the Knights level at 1-1 with just 7:48 left to play. Each team would generate a few late chances, but the match would head to overtime knotted at one apiece.
Using momentum from late in regulation, the Knights kept their foot on the pedal in overtime. The team forced two saves from the Lions goalkeeper in the opening five minutes of the extra session before breaking through at the 97:16 mark. After an excellent build-up down the left flank, Yeakley found McDevitt just outside the box and the senior forward ripped home the winner from 20 yards out to seal the win for the Knights.
Neumann (2-3) hits the road next week for another non-conference matchup versus Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, September 20th. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
