Men's Soccer dominates in 5-0 win over Valley Forge

HAZLETON, Pa. -- Steven Principe (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) netted a career-high four goals to lead Penn State Hazleton men's soccer to a 5-0 win over the University of Valley Forge in a non-conference game Thursday night. The Nittany Lions (3-4, 2-3 PSUAC) capitalized on several Patriot mistakes to pick up their third straight win after starting the season 0-4.

Principe's first goal came on a breakaway in the 11th minute for a 1-0 lead. John Wasserman (Perkasie, Pa.) flicked on a ball for Principe's second goal in the 31st minute, and less than five minutes later he would record the hat-trick with a long shot from 35 yards out that sailed over the goalkeepers arms. Principe's brother Michael Principe (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) recorded the assist for the third goal and Steven's fourth and final goal came in the second half off of a deflection from the crossbar to make it 5-0 Hazleton.

The Nittany Lions defense was stingy, only allowing the Patriots four shots on goal on a slow night for goalie Logan Yacowatz (Sugarloaf, Pa.), who finished with four saves. In contrast, Hazleton took 23 shots (10 on goal) and six corners.

Joseph Torres (Garden City, NJ) had the other goal for Hazleton, a touch pass from Ryan Lieb (Yardley, Pa.) that gave Torres the ability to beat his defender and go far post for the 4-0 advantage at the time.

Hazleton returns to the field on Saturday, September 27 when they travel to Penn State New Kensington for a Penn State University Athletic Conference match-up.