Penn State got off to a fast start in its showdown with West Virginia, but it couldn’t keep up the pace the whole game. The Nittany Lions wound up getting shutout as the Mountaineers defeated Penn State 3-0 Tuesday night.

How It Happened

Penn State controlled the possession and also outshot West Virginia five to three in the first half, but the Nittany Lions couldn’t put the ball in the net. On the other hand, the Mountaineers were able to make the most of their chances, with midfielder Jaime Merriam putting in two goals. Merriam’s first was a beauty, firing a powerful shot that ended up in the upper right corner. His second was just as nice, chipping the ball over Penn State goalkeeper Matt Bersano to put the Mountaineers up 2-0 heading into halftime.

There was a bit of a role reversal in the second as West Virginia controlled the possession and the pace of the game. The Mountaineers were able to slow things down, and kept the ball away from the Nittany Lions. As time dwindled off the clock, West Virginia was able to strike one last time. Midfielder Joey Piatczyc knocked in his first goal of the season in the 89th minute, an exclamation point for the Mountaineers’ victory.

Player of the Game

After the first 40 minutes of the first half, there weren’t a ton of chances created by Penn State, making this a tough decision. Defender Dani Marks did have the best chance of the night, firing a strong header on goal, but West Virginia’s goalkeeper Daniel Diaz made a terrific save. If another goalkeeper was in between the posts, it very well could have been a goal for Marks, and who knows how the game ends?

What’s Next?

Penn State will be back on the road when it takes on Michigan State on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.