Hazleton falls to Beaver 4-0 for first conference loss of season

HAZLETON, Pa. - Penn State Hazleton suffered their first PSUAC loss of the season, a 4-0 defeat to Penn State Beaver in a physical contest Sunday afternoon at High Acres Soccer Field. Hazleton (4-2, 3-1 PSUAC) was unable to answer Beaver's pressure in the second half as the Nittany Lions' four-game win streak was snapped.

After a scoreless first half that saw both teams control the ball, Beaver attacked early and often in the second half. Advancing the ball into the box, Beaver forced two Hazleton fouls in the penalty area and took full advantage as Kyle Fisher and Alex Rectenwald notched penalty kick goals for a 2-0 lead less than ten minutes into the second half.

Hazleton was able to put seven of their nine total shots on goal, and despite two opportunities in the first half, Beaver goalie Sam Sharpless made the stops. Sophomore goalie James Fisher (Glen Allen, Va.) matched Sharpless with seven saves, but some defensive lapses left the Lions vulnerable. 

Beaver outshot the Lions 12-9, including 11 shots on goal. They also forced 11 corners to seven for Hazleton. The fast-pace and fiesty defense led to 16 total fouls, including two yellow cards. 

Beaver's Lamont Wright extended the lead to 3-0 with a header off a cross from Logan Ridgley and Marcus Smith sealed the victory with a score off an assist from Cory Mueller. 

Freshman Ben Pasukinis (Benton, Pa.) led Hazleton with four shots, while sophomore Steven Principe (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) put up two shots.

NEXT UP: Hazleton will host their closest PSUAC opponent, Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in an Interstate 81 showdown. Wilkes-Barre entered the weekend undefeated in PSUAC play with a match scheduled for Sunday at Penn State New Kensington.