ERIE, Pa. – Five different players registered goals to lead the Penn State Behrend men's soccer team over Hilbert 7-1 on Tuesday night, improving to 5-0 in the conference and 10-4 overall.
This win tallies the largest offensive output of the season for the Lions, registering 25 shots and 10 corner kicks. Sophomores Aaron Harris (Washington, PA/McGuffey) and Shuya Takehana (Nagano, Japan/Matsusho Gaken) led Behrend's artillery with two goals apiece.
The scoring starter just over four minutes in the game, forward Matt Baleno (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum) shimmied by a defender then slotted a through-ball to a wide open Harris who struck a left footed shot into the back of the net.
Less than four minutes later, junior captain Nick Mckee (Bridgeville, PA/South Fayette) found his second goal of the season after burying a shot from just inside the 18 yard box.
Around the 23 minute mark, Hilbert brought the game within one goal when Caleb Denton finished a one-touch shot 40 yards out coming off of a Behrend turnover.
This goal resulted in a scoring frenzy for the Lions, starting with a freshman defender. Nick Shideler (Gibsonia, PA/Pine Richland) picked up his first career collegiate goal after netting a rebound save coming from a Christian Eckberg (Norwin, PA/Norwin) shot.
Ryan Maurer (Cranberry Twp., PA/Seneca Valley) recorded the last goal of the half when he hit a left-footed ball off the inside of the post into the other side of the net, making that his second goal in two games.
With the help of Harris and Takehana, Behrend would add three more goals in the second half.
The Lions defense held the Hawks to only two shots the entire match, helping goalkeeper Matt Warnaka (Chippewa, PA/Williamsport) earn his third win of the season.
Behrend will host Franciscan for the AMCC game of the week this Saturday. Kick-off time is set for 1 p.m.