No. 11 Penn State men’s soccer (1-0-1) took care of business against Syracuse (1-1) 3-0 at Jeffrey Field on Sunday night.

Goals from Peter Mangione, Pierre Reedy, and Andrew Privett unwound the Orange on a rainy night in State College, while goalkeeper Kris Shakes recorded a well-earned shutout.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions started tonight’s game in the rain, but it didn’t seem to affect them. Penn State got on the board within the first five minutes from a Peter Mangione header on a ball from Seth Kuhn.

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Syracuse kicked up the energy and was able to get itself in a few scoring positions, but some great saves from Kris Shakes stopped any chances from going in.

Action slowed down mid-way through the first half with both teams creating drives. However, aggressive and physical defense on both sides stopped any scoring opportunities from happening.

The first substitution happened with 19 minutes to go with Andrew Privett and Danny Bloyou checking in. Immediately after the substitution, the Nittany Lions were granted a free kick right outside the box. Seth Kuhn took the kick, but the ball got deflected and went just wide of the post.

Toward the end of the half, the Orange took control of the game and got themselves into a few scoring opportunities, but some last ditch defensive efforts from the Nittany Lions stopped any chances from coming into fruition.

With 10 minutes left in the first half, Penn State finally got itself in a few offensive positions. First with a shot from Seth Kuhn that was just wide, before an attempt from Alex Stevenson rolled right into Russel Shealy’s hands.

With just a few minutes left in the half, the Nittany Lions turned on the jets and put themselves in a great scoring position. Seth Kuhn sent his free kick right next to the net, but unfortunately Brandon Hackenberg’s header hit right off the post and into Shealy’s hands.

Penn State ended the first half with a 1-0 lead over the Orange.

The rain kept falling, but no lightning meant action could continue in the second half.

Syracuse came out aggressive early, but it was the Nittany Lions who got it going. With just three minutes into the second half, Penn State was rewarded a penalty kick. Pierre Reedy took the kick and made it look easy, sending the ball right in the middle of the net with Shealy making the wrong read and going nowhere near the ball.

The Nittany Lions just couldn’t get enough. Penn State continued on its offensive drive with Kuhn putting on shot on goal, but it was off the deflection where Privett sent the ball in the top left corner of the net to give the Nittany Lions a 3-0 lead over the Orange.

Syracuse’s offense picked up and tried to get on the board after putting two great shots on net, but two spectacular saves from Shakes kept the shutout alive.

With just a little past the midway point of the second half, the game had slowed down. Penn State remained very much in control by keeping the ball in the offensive zone and not allowing any opportunities for the Orange to get into scoring position.

Syracuse, getting desperate to put one on the board, was then called with too many men on the field at the 75’ mark. You don’t see that often, folks.

After a few back and forth drives, Syracuse returned to its first-half game plan and got much more aggressive in the offensive zone. However, some great defense from Hackenberg and Jalen Watson stopped any chance of the ball going into the back on the net.

With just five minutes left, Danny Bloyou put his footwork to use and gave the Nittany Lions another opportunity on net, but his shot was deflected.

After a few last minute ditch efforts from Syracuse forwards Julius Rauch and Luke Biasi, the Orange just couldn’t get one on the board. The Nittany Lions g0t the win and completed the shutout over the Orange, 3-0.

Player Of The Match

Kris Shakes, Goalkeeper

Recording his eighth career shutout, Shakes shined under the lights for the Nittany Lions. Syracuse came out aggressive, and Shakes stepped up when the defense looked breakable. Without some of his early and athletic saves, Penn State could’ve been in trouble.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions travel to Morgantown on Friday, September 3 to face West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with streaming information currently TBD.