ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team was defeated by Mount Aloysius in overtime 2-1 Saturday afternoon.
In a hard fought, physical battle between the Lions (14-2-1, 8-1 AMCC) and the Mounties (11-5-1, 8-0 AMCC), Mount Aloysius came out on top to clinch the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) playoffs.
Behrend had the advantage throughout the first half. They outshot the Mounties 5-0, four of which were on goal and saved by goaltender Justin Hann.
Anthony Crivelli (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) had the best chance of the first half in the 26th minute. Matt Dziadosz (Leechberg, PA/Kiski Area) played a ball over top of the Mount Aloysius defense right into Crivelli's stride. Crivelli took a touch and blasted a shot towards the goal, but Hann made a point blank save.
After a scoreless first half, the Lions were able to take their strong momentum and get on the board first. Crivelli gave Behrend a 1-0 lead after a great individual effort at the 54:42 mark. Crivelli brought down another long ball and beat the lone Mountie defender.
Crivelli appeared to be taken down just inside the box, but no foul was called. He quickly got back on his feet and buried a shot in the top right corner to tally his ninth goal of the season.
Shortly after the Lion goal, Mount Aloysius was awarded a penalty kick. Senior goaltender Will Cole (Russell, PA/Eisenhower) was up to the task, making an acrobatic glove save to keep Behrend in the lead.
The Lions were not able to hold on to their lead however. The Mounties tied the game in the 77th minute after Patrick Chea headed in a cross off a free kick.
Nick Stewart (Pittsburgh, PA/Keystone Oaks) had a chance to give Behrend the lead once again with just over seven minutes remaining. Stewart beat the Mountie goaltender and placed a shot towards the lower left corner of the open net, but a Mount Aloysius defender slid back and cleared the ball off the line.
A 1-1 tie sent the game into overtime where Stewart had a chance once again on a breakaway two minutes in. He took a shot from just outside the box and Hann made a diving save to push the shot wide.
Just over two minutes later, the Mounties were able to capitalize on their sixth shot of the game to take home a 2-1 win. Kevin Ouellette scored from six yards out off a cross from Chea.
The Lions are back in action Tuesday when they travel to Alfred State for their final regular season game of the year. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
