Penn State Men’s Soccer opened up the Adidas and head coach Rob Dow era at Jeffrey Field on Thursday Night.

The Nittany Lions rallied from behind a 2-goal deficit, ultimately winning 3-2. Here are our photographer’s favorite images from the season-opening match.

Thursday’s rainy weather cleared up just in time for Penn State to take the field.

Penn State head coach Rob Dow greets his players as they prepare for their match against Mercyhurst.

Each team’s players were announced, and the match was set to kick off. Penn State donned its new Adidas home kits.

As the light started to slip away, so did the Nittany Lions. Penn State found itself 2 goals behind Mercyhurst in the first 26 minutes of play.

After 2 unanswered tallies, it all seemed to be going in the way of the Lakers.

With a great pass from Noah Förster, Penn State senior forward Amadou Kone scored and put a halt to Mercyhurst’s lead. The blue and white had now clawed back within one.

The Park Avenue Army had a very good turnout despite many students still returning to campus.

Going into the break, Penn State trailed by a goal. Once play resumed in the second half, the Nittany Lions were eager to find the equalizer. The “next play mentality” served Penn State well entering the second half of play.

Mercyhurst was issued a red card in the 51st minute following a VAR flag for a review of a previous yellow card. This gave Penn State a man advantage for the remaining 40 minutes.

Penn State had an advantage and plenty of time left. The perfect cocktail for a resurgence. Playing late into the game, Mercyhurst couldn’t counter the constant pressure in their own half for long. In the 68th minute, a ball snuck into the net off a Joe Sheridan header from a corner taken by Grant McIntosh. Penn State had found its equalizer, and there was still time for them to steal the game.

Rob Dow’s new side had shown great resilience, but they were not done for the match. Mercyhurst goalkeeper Jaime Tedaldi had himself a day. In the second half alone, Tedaldi recorded 8 saves. A goalkeeper like that is crucial to a team’s success. if it had not been for a mistake by his own backline, Mercyhurst would not have given Penn State the game-winning tally.

Forward Etienne Reck’s touch wound up in the back of the net off a deflection. This would be the goal that gave the Nittany Lion head coach his first victory for the blue and white.

As they say, ‘All’s well that ends well.’ Penn State Men’s Soccer, with new leadership, escaped the Mercyhurst Lakers in a thrilling match to open the season. An exciting match for those in attendance. Nittany Lion fans should be pleased with this result, but there is still much hill left to climb.

Though every win is worth celebrating, especially with your supporters.

The Nittany Lions continue their 2026 campaign against Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri, on August 23rd at 8 p.m. It will be broadcast on ESPN+.