ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team dropped their second championship game this season on penalty kicks, this time falling to Alvernia in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) final.
After the Lions (17-3-2) and the Crusaders (10-7-5) ended regulation in a 1-1 deadlock, two overtime periods would ensue. The best chance of overtime came in the second overtime period off the head of Nick Stewart (Pittsburgh, PA/Keystone Oaks). Stewart headed a cross off the crossbar that would have given Behrend the win.
Despite strong efforts to score from both sides in the OT periods, the game would be decided by penalty kicks. The Lions previously fell in PKs in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) 4-3 just a week ago.
Mike Worthy (Pittsburg, PA/Upper St. Clair), who scored the game-tying goal in the 77th minute off a great individual effort stealing the ball and finishing, stepped up first for Behrend and buried his shot. Alvernia also scored with their first shooter to even the shootout.
Stewart shot next for the Lions, but was unable to convert. The Crusader's second shooter made his penalty to give his team a one point advantage.
Senior Christian Harrigton (Warren, PA/Warren Area) scored on Behrend's third attempt to tie the score at two. Alvernia continued to convert as they also found the back of the net to take the lead once again.
Evan Augustine (South Park, PA/South Park) was the fourth Lion shooter, and like Stewart, was unable to find the twine. The Crusaders had a chance to take home the title if they made their fourth shot; they converted to win 4-2.
Behrend appeared to control most of the game. They outshot Alvernia 26-10 and had an advantage in corners 5-4. Stewart, Worthy, Anthony Crivelli (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) and Sean Gallagher (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) each had four shots for the Lions, while Harrington and Sam McSherry (Stow, OH/Stow-Munroe Falls) each added three.
The story of the game was Crusaders goalkeeper Zach Rider. Rider made an astonishing 16 saves in the game, including two in the shootout to secure the ECAC title.
