Penn State (5-6-1, 2-3 Big Ten) returned home Tuesday night hoping to snap its three-game losing streak. Pitt (2-9-2, 0-4-1 ACC) traveled to Happy Valley on a three-game winless streak of its own. In a battle to break the losing skids, Penn State prevailed 1-0 on a Dayonn Harris goal.

How It Happened

It was all Penn State in the first 20 minutes of this one. Connor Maloney had a pair of opportunities in the early going, missing wide on his first and getting his second shot stopped by Pitt keeper Mikal Outcalt after Dayonn Harris set Maloney up. Penn State also had shots from Aymar Sigue and Noah Pilato, but couldn’t find the net.

Penn State reached 311-straight scoreless minutes before Dayonn Harris broke free behind the defense in the 41st minute. He chipped the keeper from about 35 yards out and followed up the roller into the six yard box to tap it in. Penn State went into halftime leading the Panthers 1-0.

Getting just his second start, Pilato nearly scored his first goal. Pilato’s long-range effort rattled off the bar and kept the score 1-0. Penn State continued to apply heavy pressure to the Pitt back line, but didn’t get another great opportunity until Maloney was taken down in the box, drawing a penalty kick and forcing the ref to give Pitt’s Stephane Pierre a red card.

Maloney had his opportunity to put Penn State up 2-0 from the spot in the 65th minute, but Outcalt stopped his penalty kick to keep the game within reach. Outcalt made another huge save on Sam Bollinger in the 86th minute to keep Pitt alive. The Panthers wouldn’t have so much as a good chance in them to tie the game as the Nittany Lions won 1-0.

Player Of The Game

Dayonn Harris | Forward | Sophomore

Harris scored Penn State’s first goal in the last four games to help break the losing streak.

What’s Next

Tuesday was the first of a five-game homestand for the Nittany Lions. Penn State hosts Michigan State on Saturday in its next conference clash 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.