Big Ten Soccer Championship Semifinals
11/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 13, 1999
EAST LANSING, MICH. - The third-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the second-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, 1-0, Saturday afternoon in the Big Ten Men?s Soccer Championship semifinals at Old College Field on the MSU campus.
Penn State scored the game?s only goal at the 15:39 mark as junior Pete Shellenberger headed the ball past Buckeye goalie Kerry Thompson on passes from senior Blake Novotny and sophomore Greg Oldfield. The goal is Shellenberger?s second game-winning score in the tournament.
The Nittany Lions controlled the tempo of the game, enjoying a one man advantage for the most of the contest due to a red card issued to first team All-Big Ten Ohio State forward Peterson Jerome during the 30th minute of play. Penn State had an 18-8 shot advantage and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.
?It was nice to have the advantage, but we still had to find a way to win, ? said Penn State Head Coach Barry Gorman. ?The win gives us an adrenaline boost for tomorrow?s championship game. Even though we have already played two games in the tournament in two days, we will be ready.?
Nittany Lion goalkeeper Whit Gibson had seven saves en route to his eighth shutout of the season. Ohio State goalie Kerry Thompson recorded 10 saves in the loss.
Penn State improves to 17-2-1 on the season and advances to the championship game tomorrow to face top-seeded Indiana at 2:00 p.m. Indiana defeated Penn State earlier in the season, 4-2. Ohio State closes out its season with an 11-8 record overall.
Game Summary Scoring Summary Penn State Shellenberger (Novotny, Oldfield), 15:39Shots Penn State 18 Ohio State 8
Saves Gibson (Penn State) 7 (90:00) Thompson (Ohio State) 10 (90:00)
Fouls Penn State 11 Ohio State 20
Corner Kicks Penn State 7 Ohio State 0
