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 [ Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 ] Towson surprises PSU with late goals
By Mike Garvey
Collegian Staff Writer
Starting off a journey, the last thing you want to do is trip over your shoelaces. Ranked No. 23 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll, the Penn State men's soccer team appeared to do just that in a 3-2 exhibition loss to Towson University on Saturday. The loss was essentially a preseason mulligan. |
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Unlike the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, this time it didn't count. Beyond that, it was an opportunity to learn more about the team. "[We learned] that they're capable of blowing a 2-0 lead, and coach shouldn't make changes," Penn State coach Barry Gorman said. "No, it was good to play against different opposition. We needed that." A loss in the first game of the season would be a disappointment for a team that finished last season 10-4-8 and competed in the NCAA tournament, particularly after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But in rotating in younger players to give the staff a better idea of their capabilities, the major goal was achieved. "We're certainly disappointed we blew a 2-0 lead, don't get me wrong," Penn State assistant coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "The whole purpose is to try some new guys out. We look to the exhibition game to work out some kinks." Though the team has been practicing against each other in anticipation of its season opener on Friday vs. Marquette, the preseason match gave the players who aren't established veterans a shot at winning a starting position. It may not have been much of an option for the Lions, who were a bit shorthanded due to injuries and overall fatigue. | ||||
PHOTO: Jeremy Drey
Penn State's Brian Devlin (11) keeps the ball away from a Towson player during the Nittany Lions' 3-2 exhibition loss Saturday.
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The youth movement was working early in the game, as Penn State freshman forward Jason Yeisley scored twice within the first 15 minutes. However, Towson went on to score three unanswered goals late in the contest. The Tigers' first goal came in the 76th minute, with the tying goal coming minutes later. At the 101:34 mark in overtime, Towson's Cesar Cisneros put in his second goal of the afternoon and secured the victory for Towson. With underclassmen minding the backfield and clearing balls up the middle, inexperience goes a long way in explaining how Towson, who was 3-5-1 competing in the Colonial Athletic Association last year, stormed back to take the victory. Fortunately for the Lions, the game can be measured as a learning experience. It can be as though they hit a bad slice, but no one was around to see it. "We'll get there," Gorman said. "It's better to have that happen in an exhibition than when it really counts." 
PHOTO: Jeremy Drey
Penn State's Milan Popovic (7) heads the ball just wide of the net.
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