All season, the Penn State men's soccer team has needed its young players to grow up quickly to fill a roster decimated by injuries.

Players such as Treavor Gelsinger, Vincent Salvatico, Casey Derkacz and Jon Davidsson were rushed into action with injuries to Jason Yeisley, Ryan Badaracco and Geordie MacNeill.

So it was fitting on the afternoon celebrating Penn State's four seniors and the end of their careers, that it was a freshman just beginning his that saved the day

Thanks to freshman Drew Cost's goal in the 82nd minute, the Nittany Lions (7-8-3, 2-2-2) secured a 2-1 victory against Michigan yesterday on Senior Day at Jeffrey Field.

The win ended a wild and emotional day for both the Lions and Michigan (10-6-2, 0-4-2).

The day started with a ceremony for seniors MacNeill, Taylor, Stephen Reihner and Grady Renfrow, which even included bagpipes from MacNeill's father.

The day ended in come-from-behind fashion as sophomore Frank Costigliola and freshman Cost scored twice in 14 minutes in the second half to erase a one-goal halftime defecit.

"It gives us so much momentum going into the tournament," MacNeill said. "We've got the playoffs coming up. Even two more wins, and we'll be eligible for the NCAAs, so this is everything. This is the season."

Cost and Costigliola's tallies erased a frustrating first half during which the Lions were unable to put any goals behind Michigan keeper Patrick Sperry despite having nine shots in the first half and one that saw the Wolverines take the lead on a open net goal from Peri Marosevic.

Cost's goal --- the second of his career --- is also his second game-winner in the last two games. He scored the overtime goal Wednesday night against Villanova, and it has been a pleasant sight for the coaching staff to see him hit the net after missing opportunities earlier in the season.

"Drew started off, and he had to adapt to college soccer, and we had to give him a little bit of a talking to," Penn State coach Barry Gorman said, " 'cause he wanted to play the ball when it came to him. Now he's being more of a complete player."

Before his game-winning goal, Cost had been stopped by Sperry earlier in the game on a poor chance inside the box.

That shot wasn't a good chance, but Cost would get another one.

And he wouldn't miss.

His second shot was a perfectly placed ball that sped past Sperry to give Penn State the lead for good in the second half.

"Treavor flicked it on to me, and I knew I was about 30 yards out," Cost said. "I went after the first touch."

The win secured a .500 regular season in conference for Penn State heading into the Big Ten Tournament, which starts Thursday in East Lansing, Mich.

Most likely, the Lions will face host Michigan State as either the fourth or the fifth seed depending on the Spartans' result with Ohio State.

Penn State's first winning streak since late September could go a long way in building confidence in the tournament especially knowing it's a one-and-done scenario on Thursday.