Lions fight to a draw with Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Hazleton, Pa. - In their first home conference game of the 2022-23 season, the Nittany Lions earned a 1-1 tie with Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Hazleton drew the first score of the game but ultimately had to endure a a 22-6 defict in shots and a 9-3 disadvantage in corner kicks, the result of Wilkes-Barre commanding the tempo for much of the game. Wilkes-Barre went on to tie the game in the 37th minute of play but Hazleton defended well for the rest of the game, earning a tie in the PSUAC opener. 

Early in the game, Hazleton pressed forward, earning two of their three corner kicks of the game within the first 12 minutes of action. The second of which resulted in the Lions first and only score of the game. Freshman Daniel Albanese took the second attempt, sending a fine pass deep into the box where he found freshman Andre Pizarro for a one-timer to put Hazleton on top. The Lions continued to lead for the next 25 minutes of play but in the 37th minute, Wilkes-Barre's Cameron Fleeger snuck a pass through the Hazleton defense and drawing the Lions keeper out from the net. Hazleton failed to reject the pass which found Phoenix Campanile who tucked the ball into a wide open net, knotting the score at 1-1 where it would remain for the rest of the half. 

Wilkes-Barre controlled the ball for much of the second half, notching 15 shots to just three attempts for Hazleton in the final 45 minutes of play. But the Lions were perfect defensively in the second half with senior goal keeper Bryce Dalpiaz stopping seven shots on goal during the period. The Lions finally broke through to the opposite end of the field late in the action and with time winding down, sophomore Ethan Hendricks sent in a fine attempt on a free kick to break the tie, but a diving save by Wilkes-Barre keeper Tyler Marchlenski shut down the rally with just seconds remaining on the clock. 

Next up: Hazleton is back in action on their home turf this Saturday, September 17 when the Lions host Penn State Greater Allegheny at 2:00 p.m.