NIttany Lions overtake Penn State Scranton

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions grabbed their second win of the season on Wednesday, topping Penn State Scranton with a 3-1 effort. Hazleton was outshot by a two to one ratio in this one, but the Lions made the most of their twelve attempts, securing their first conference win in the process. 

Saddled with several early fouls that gave Scranton and early advantage, Hazleton would have to wait for their first good opportunity. That moment came midway through the period when junior Aaron Wrobleski (Mountain Top, Pa.) broke down the defense, dribbling past several defenders into the Scranton 18. Wrobleski played the ball back to the middle, finding senior Tyler Martin (Milford, Pa.) who converted the open look to give Hazleton a 1-0 lead. 

Both squads were kept off the board for the remainder of the half, but when play resumed Hazleton went to work quickly. Just two minutes into the period, junior Daniel Mendoza (Hazleton, Pa.) found Wrobleski at the top of the Scranton 18 who promptly fired a near unstoppable shot into the upper right 90, extending the Lions advantage to 2-0.

Over the next 20 minutes the visitors would reel off six shots but the Hazleton defense and sophomore keeper Jean-Louis Sunther Jr.  (Abidjam, Ivory Coast) managed to keep Scranton from getting back in the game and allowing their offense to go back to work. Hazleton would tack on their third and final goal in the 68th minute and once again it was Wrobleski inflicting the damage. Crashing the box on a corner kick taken by Dylan Miale (Mountain Top, Pa.) Wrobleski got his head on the ball forcing the Scranton keeper over the goal line to make the stop for an insurance goal and a three score lead with just 22 minutes to play. That goal would prove valuable as Scranton continued to find chances on the offensive end and with three minutes to play, broke up the shut out effort on a score by Mike Foder. Fortunately for the Lions, that score would be too little, too late as Hazleton milked to clock to wrap up the win. 

Next up: The Lions will look to continue their winning ways this weekend when the squad heads back out on the road. Hazleton will travel to Penn State Mont Alto on Saturday, October 13 for a 2:00 p.m. kick off.