Tough Loss for GA Men's Soccer over Hazleton, 2-1

McKeesport, Pa. - One goal separated the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's soccer  team and Penn State Hazleton, Saturday afternoon, in a 2-1 Penn State University Athletic Conference showdown.

Greater Allegheny was first on the board in the 24th minute. Freshman defender Kyle Griffin (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) crossed the ball from the left side of the field to the feet of junior midfielder Gerardo Diaz Perez (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico/Immaculate Conception Academy), who then flicked the ball to freshman midfielder Ricardo Dip (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Commonwealth), finishing the pass to put the home team up, 1-0.

Hazleton managed to clean up on a breakaway, evening the mark at one to end the first half.

Each team battled hard through the second half, holding the even tally for 38 minutes. In the 83rd minute, Hazleton's Kyle Vendetti placed a penalty kick goal in the back of the net, giving the visitors the 2-1 PSUAC advantage.

Hazleton outshot Greater Allegheny 21-10 through the contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Wood (Rockville, Md./St. John's College High) faced nine shots on goal, stopping seven. Dip notched three shots, two being on target, while sophomore midfielder Bimal Bhattarai (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and sophomore forward Jake Thieret (Port Vue, Pa./South Allegheny) posted two a piece.

Greater Allegheny (6-4, 3-4 PSUAC) takes a break before they travel to Penn State Mont Alto, next Saturday, to continue Penn State University Athletic Conference play. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.