ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team weathered a storm on two fronts Friday evening to take down Grove City in the semifinal round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament 2-1.
A cold, windy and rain-filled evening could not stop the Lions (17-2-2) from advancing to the ECAC finals. In addition to the weather, Behrend was able to fend off 14 Wolverine (12-7-1) shots and five corners and secure the win.
Junior forward Anthony Crivelli (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) added to his team-leading point total scoring both Lion goals, giving him 30 points so far this season. Crivelli's first goal came just seven and half minutes into the game. He took a pass from Matt Dziadosz (Leechburg, PA/Kiski Area) and buried the shot to give Behrend a 1-0 lead.
Battling the elements, both teams fought for the rest of the half. Despite 11 total shots, and five saves between both goalies, neither team was able to find the back of the net.
Grove City quickly put themselves on the scoreboard in the second half however. Seth Loew tallied his team-leading 18th goal of the season just five minutes into the half to tie the score at one.
The Lions would bounce back to take the lead once again 15 minutes later. At the 66:48 mark, Crivelli roped a shot from 20 yards out that beat Wolverine keeper Ben Weaver to give Behrend a lead they would not relinquish. Dziadosz and Nick Stewart (Pittsburgh, PA/Keystone Oaks) picked up the assists on the game-winner.
Grove City fought to tie the game at two, but were unable to beat the Lions' defense, backed by goalie Will Cole (Russell, PA/Eisenhower) who made four saves.
Behrend will take on the winner of No. 3 Geneva and No. 7 Alvernia tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. for a chance to crown themselves ECAC South champions.
