Penn State men’s soccer (5-5-3, 1-3-2 Big Ten) tied Northwestern (6-4-3, 1-3-2 Big Ten) 2-2 at Jeffrey Field Friday night.

The first half was very slow for both teams, with possession not favoring either side. In the second half, the deadlock was broken by a goal from Baraka Tarleton, which gave Northwestern a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later, Penn State responded with a goal from Ben Madore to tie the game at one. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

How It Happened

The game began with both teams trading possession. In the fourth minute, Penn State’s Ben Madore fired a shot off-target.

Northwestern put some pressure on the Nittany Lions’ defense, and the Wildcats’ Joe Suchecki headed the ball wide. Penn State responded with a great opportunity from Caden Grabfelder, but his shot went wide.

The Penn State attack became more aggressive, and Christian Dionne had two scoring opportunities to break the deadlock. However, Northwestern goalkeeper Rafael Ponce De Leon made two key saves to keep the game scoreless early.

In the 18th minute, a long ball from Suchecki resulted in a shot from Jason Gajadhar, but the Nittany Lions were able to block it. The ball went out of bounds, leading to a Northwestern corner. On the corner, Jonathan Evans was able to grab the ball, ending the Wildcat’s scoring opportunity.

The tempo slowed down for the next 10 minutes, as both teams traded possession. Then, Penn State’s Ben Liscum had a perfectly placed through ball to Matthew Henderson, but no one was in the middle of the box to control his cross. The Nittany Lions earned a corner, but could not capitalize, and the possession ended.

In the final three minutes of the half, Penn State’s Kai Phillip headed a ball just over the net. Penn State had another incredible opportunity from Liscum, whose header was blocked by a Northwestern defender after beating Ponce de Leon. Penn State kept threatening to score, but was not able to get past Northwestern’s defense. The first half was scoreless.

Northwestern began the second half with a hot start. A cross from the outside left Sachecki alone in the box, but he shot the ball wide. Phillip played the ball to Ben Madore inside the box. However, he was shoved down by a Northwestern player, and no foul was called.

After Penn State’s scoring opportunity, Northwestern dominated possession. During three minutes, the Wildcats had six straight throw-ins. They had eight in the first five minutes of the half.

In the 53rd minute, Phillip fired a shot, but it went off target, resulting in a Northwestern goal kick. A minute later, Northwestern tested Evans for the first time in the game, with a shot on goal by Alejandro Martinez Santamaria.

Penn State’s defense turned the ball over, and Northwestern countered. Martinez Santamaria shot the ball on net, but Evans was able to make the save.

On the corner in the 61st minute, Sacheki crossed the ball into the box, and Brian Mayer was there for the header, which deflected to Baraka Tarleton, who shot it past Evans. Northwestern took the 1-0 lead over the Nittany Lions. Penn State tried to respond immediately, with a header from Marshall, but was turned aside by Ponce De Leon.

Penn State had another dangerous scoring opportunity in the 65th minute, with a shot from Dionne, and once again, Ponce De Leon made the stop. The Nittany Lions earned a free kick from a long distance.

Malick Daouda hit a long ball into the box, and Dionne headed the ball, which hit the post. However, Madore was there for the rebound to tie the game at one. A video review was conducted, and the goal stood.

GIVE IT A HOME MADORE!!!

Subscribe/watch on B1G+ https://t.co/3tqwe9v3Ph#WeAre pic.twitter.com/VRhr7VaJTr

— Penn State Men’s Soccer (@PennStateMSOC) October 18, 2025

Northwestern tried to take the lead right away on a shot by Aaron O’Reilly, but it was saved by Evans. Penn State had most of the scoring opportunities in the last six minutes, with three corner kicks and multiple throw-ins. Northwestern’s defense stood tall, and the tie stayed intact with less than ten minutes to go.

The Nittany Lions continued to threaten to break the tie. They had multiple shots blocked and one off-target. With five minutes left, Northwestern’s Jayvin Van Deventer was left wide open outside the box and shot the ball into the bottom right of the net. Northwestern broke the tie, taking the lead 2-1.

Penn State attempted to tie the game once again with five minutes left, but Ponce De Leon was able to stop the shot from Liscum.

With 30 seconds remaining in the game, Daouda tied the game at two with a volley from inside the box. The game came to an end right after, with the Nittany Lions tying the Wildcats.

Takeaways

• Penn State was ineffective on its scoring opportunities, with 19 shots and only eight going on net. This led to the Nittany Lions only scoring two goals in the game, which played a huge factor in the tie.
• The game was very physical, with 10 fouls in the first half. This trend continued in the second half, where there were nine fouls, including a yellow card on Ben Nash.
• Ben Madore and Christian Dionne led the team in shots, as they combined for eight of the 19 shots. Malick Daouda scored the equalizer, leading to Penn State’s second draw in conference play.

What’s Next?

Penn State men’s soccer will take on No. 21 Washington at 6 p.m.Monday, October 20, at Jeffrey Field. The game will be televised on BTN.