PSU Hazleton Picks Up First Win 4-1 Over PSU Scranton

HAZLETON, PA -- Penn State Hazleton men's soccer picked up a decisive 4-1 win over visiting Penn State Scranton in a Penn State University Athletic Conference match-up Thursday night. The Nittany Lions (1-4-0, 1-3 PSUAC) win was also the first of the career for interim head coach Jesse Shadle.

Diego Mendoza (Elizabeth, NJ) led the Nittany Lions with assists on each of the first three goals. Notching goals for Hazleton were Steven Principe (Jim Thorpe, PA), Ryan Lieb, Joseph Torres (Garden City, NJ) and Kevin Martorano (Ringwood, NJ).

Scranton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, as Zach Hiller scored off of a set piece in the 11th minute. It took Hazleton only seven minutes to counter, as Principe put in a cross from Mendoza to score from the top of the penalty area.

Knotted 1-1 at halftime, the teams remained tied until Lieb's goal on a cross from Mendoza during the 59th minute. It took only nine more minutes before Torres made it 3-1 on a left footed shot from the top of the penalty area, once again on an assist from Mendoza. Hazleton's fourth and final goal came from Martorano, who volleyed a save from Scranton keeper John Waltman into the back of the net to make it 4-1 with less than seven minutes to play.

The Nittany Lions outshot their opponents 16-6, and forced 11 corners. Waltman had a game-high 12 saves for Scranton, while counterpart Logan Yacowatz (Sugarloaf, PA) made five saves.

Hazleton returns to the pitch on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 4:00 p.m. when they travel to Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1-3, 1-1 PSUAC) for a conference tilt.