Soccer Drops Season Opener to Point Park
The PSUGA Soccer team dropped their season opener to Point Park 7-0. Despite the score, PSUGA showed positive signs on defense that they can build off of for the rest of the season.
McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Soccer team (0-1, 0-0) battled against non-conference opponent Point Park (2-1, 0-0) on Wednesday but fell 7-0. After falling behind in the first few seconds of the game, PSUGA could not find a way to bounce back but played solid defense throughout the rest of the game.
Point Park struck for their first goal just 39 seconds into the game when Lloyd van Wees snuck one into the back of the net through the right corner. The Pioneers were at it again and added three points in the span of six minutes to increase their lead to 4-0 17:18 into the game. However, PSUGA’s defense would then step up holding Point Park off the board and the score stuck at 4-0 as the teams broke for halftime.
Defensive captains Dario Marina (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) and Colin Bucsok (Pittsburgh, PA./Thomas Jefferson HS) each had a strong showing in the first half. Bucsok made five saves on nine shots on goal and Marina was a vocal leader throughout the afternoon helping the newcomers along in their first game action of the season.
Point Park would keep their offense going in the second half scoring three times over the last 45 minutes of play, and PSUGA was unable to get anything going dropping the game by the final score of 7-0. They got more offensive opportunities in the second half with junior Ronnie Caldro (Pittsburgh, Pa.) taking a few good runs upfield and Namy Makiese (Pittsburgh, PA./Allderdice HS) passing the ball effectively.
Hunter Huber (West Mifflin, PA./West Mifflin HS) saw his first action in net of the season and made five saves on eight shots on goal, including blocking a Penalty Kick attempt by Point Park’s Lloyd van Wees. While the score was not what PSUGA envisioned coming into the game, they still have a lot of positives to build on as the season progresses.
The PSUGA Soccer team returns to action on Friday, September 6th, when they host Johnson & Wales (NC) at 4 p.m. The game will be played at Breisinger Field in Pleasant Hills, PA.