Greater Allegheny Men's Soccer Out-Shoots in PKs to Head to PSUAC Finals

West Chester, Pa. - Through two overtime periods and a penalty kick shoot-out, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's soccer team has earned their spot in the Penn State University Athletic Conference Championship Finals at State College, Sunday.

The fifth seed, Greater Allegheny, comes into the semi-finals for the first time in program history. Brandywine, however, has won the PSUAC title the past two seasons, the first time in 24 years during the 2013 season. Brandywine finished their season in first place with an overall record of 9-8-1 record.

Brandywine was quickly on the board, as they managed to notch a goal in the 10th minute of the game after a free-kick, 1-0 Brandywine.

Brandywine continued to press the GA defense, posting 13 shots during the opening 45 minutes, including six on target, but could not add the cushioning notch.

The second half was a nail-biter for both sides of the ball, as each team was eager to move onto the finals. With less than two minutes left in regulation, junior midfielder Gerardo Diaz Perez (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico/Immaculate Conception Academy) noted the equalizing goal from freshman midfielder Belmo Nurkic (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) to even the tally at one to ride out the clock.

Despite being outshot an eye-opening 24-4 throughout the contest, the Greater Allegheny defense held strong to head into extra minutes.

A double dose of ten-minute overtime periods did not prove enough for either Brandywine or Greater Allegheny. Brandywine mustered all four shots in the extra time, but sophomore goalkeeper Alex Wood (Rockville, Md./St. John's College High) did not allow a single one.

The two non-scoring overtime periods brought a shoot-out situation for Wood and O'Neill with their corresponding shooters.

Sophomore midfielder Nick Andrews (Penn Hills, Pa./Serra Catholic) was the first GA Lion to find the back of the net through the shoot-out period. BW's Abhulimen evened the mark at one a piece before Diaz Perez made another, 2-1. Brandywine answered to even the mark at two before sophomore midfielder Marin Marina (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) added another, 3-2.

Brandywine's Lutes made another to even the score at three before freshman defender Nick Schiller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) posted a tally. Wood stopped one to lift Greater Allegheny up, 4-3. BW's Bill Walleekendeh evened the score at four as three players from each team were stopped. Sophomore forward Jake Thieret (Port Vue, Pa./South Allegheny) completed the final shot of the game, 5-4 Greater Allegheny.

Wood faced a total of 11 shots on goal, stopping ten through 110 minutes in net. With just the four shots the entire game, Diaz Perez noted three of them, two being on target.

With the finish, Greater Allegheny (9-5-1, 4-5 PSUAC) moves onto the PSUAC Championship on Sunday at State College. The final game will be against #2 Penn State Beaver scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.

The two teams have met in the past, where Beaver found themselves on top 4-0.