Nittany Lions Blank Men's Soccer

ALTOONA, Pa. - The Wilson College men's soccer team opened the 2021 season with a nonconference match-up at Penn State Altoona. The Nittany Lions (2-1) shut out the Phoenix (0-1) by a final score of 5-0.

How It Happened: The host Nittany Lions wasted no time getting on the board as Damian Dangler took advantage of a Phoenix foul and knocked in a free kick to take a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the match. Later in the half, the Phoenix had an opportunity to get on the board but the shot by junior Terrell Samuels (Chambersburg, PA., Chambersburg) sailed wide to the right. Just before the midway point of the half, the hosts struck again as Dangler took a pass from Grady Ballard and hit a shot from 20 yards out for a 2-0 Nittany Lions advantage. The Phoenix again tried to respond with a shot by Samuels but the keeper was able to come up with the save to keep the visitors off the board. A quick attack by the Nittany Lions after the Samuels shot resulted in another goal, pushing the lead to 3-0. Sophomore Connor Bowers (Hagerstown, MD, North Hagerstown High School) tried to get the Phoenix on the scoreboard just before the half, but his shot attempt was corralled by the keeper. Early in the second half, the Phoenix offense started to put some pressure on the Nittany Lions defense. Freshman Colin Davidson (Northampton, PA, Northampton Area High School) ripped a shot that missed wide left. A few minutes later, a corner kick by junior Victor Ortiz (Caguas, Puerto Rico, Ana G. Mendez University System) led to a header shot attempt by freshman Jorge Cortez (Columbia, TN, Spring Hill High School), but the shot sailed over the cross bar. While the Phoenix continued to battle, the Nittany Lions defense was solid and kept the Phoenix off the board, while their offense added two more goals en route to the 5-0 victory.

Inside the Box Score: The Nittany Lions out shot the Phoenix 18-6 which included a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. The hosts held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks and each team committed 7 fouls. Samuels paced the Phoenix with 2 shot attempts while junior goalkeeper Billy Merk (Macungie, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College) tallied 2 saves.

Up Next: Wilson will be back in action on Saturday as the team travels to Pitt-Greensburg for a 3:00 p.m. start.

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