MCCANDLESS, Pa - The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team defeated La Roche 3-1 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action Saturday afternoon.
Nick McKee's (Bridgeville, PA/South Fayette) goal in the 22nd minute proved to be the game-winner in the Lions (14-1-3, 7-0-1 AMCC) seventh AMCC victory. Behrend edged the Redhawks (8-7-2, 4-2-2 AMCC) in shots, 11-9.
La Roche got on the board first at the 12:12 mark on a goal from Tom Spagnolo. A little over a minute later, Matt Baleno (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum) scored his second goal of the season, evening up the score at one apiece. Evan Augustine (South Park, PA/South Park) and Sean Gallagher (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) were credited with the assists.
The Lions struck again at the 21:06 mark when Dakota Lange (Apollo, PA/Kiski Area) found McKee, who scored his first goal of the season, to give Behrend the 2-1 lead.
The Lions held La Roche to only four shots in the second half. Goalkeeper Chris Ralph (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) registered both of his saves in the last 45 minutes to keep the Redhawks from tying the game. He has 12 wins in net this season
Gallagher delivered the dagger at the 89:08 mark to give Behrend the 3-1 lead. He has four goals this season.
Behrend finishes regular season conference action this Tuesday in a showdown against Medialle. The Lions and Mavericks are currently tied for first in the AMCC. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
