MSOC: Nittany Lions Beat the Buckeyes on Mack Brady Day

Story posted September 14, 2016 in CommRadio, Sports by Jordan Hall

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -  As fans were just settling into their seats, Mason Klerks was settling the ball in the lower right corner of the Ohio State Goal. Klerks’ 1st minute strike got the Nittany lions off to a dream start in their fourth annual Mack Brady match. Penn State (3-2-1) continued their unbeaten run in Mack Brady matches as they cruised to a 4-2 win over an Abdi Mohamed led Ohio State (1-5-0)

Klerks’ opening strike set the tone for the Nittany Lions, who went on to post 4 goals in the first half alone. Penn State doubled the lead after 25 minutes, as an unmarked Klerks headed home a Maloney free kick.

This was the first time head coach Bob Warming deployed Klerks in that position.

“We’ve never had him up there, Warming said. “It’s about time.”

Three minutes later Penn state was awarded a penalty off a clearly frustrated Ohio State defense, with Maloney slotting home the spot kick. Ohio State marched down the pitch and drew a penalty of their own in an immediate response.          

Amankwa Yaw saw his penalty emphatically saved by Penn State goalkeeper Arie Ammann. The two had a physical altercation on the following corner, adding to an already chippy match, that had no shortage of late tackles.

Maloney was yet again the creative spark for the Lions, as his threaded ball sent Aymar Sigue clean through, with the forward scoring Penn State’s fourth goal on the game. It was a three assist night for Maloney.

Ohio State got themselves back into the game in the second half, first converting a penalty, then an excellent Abdi Mohamed free kick, but the damage from the first half could not be undone. Chances followed the two goals but Ohio State could not find a way through in open play.  The team continued their overall poor form, with a fifth loss added to an already tough season for the Buckeyes.

For Penn State, the game was a great way to honor Mack Brady. 

“It means a lot to play for Mack and honor his tradition,” Klerks said.

The Nittany Lions bounced back after a tough St. Francis loss, with Coach Bob Warming proud of his team’s resilience, “Bad things happen. It’s how you respond. They responded very well.”

Penn State is back on the road for their next game. Taking on Maryland in what proved to be a very lively matchup last season. The game is on September 18.

 

Jordan Hall is a sophomore majoring in digital and print journalism, to contact him email jvh5776@psu.edu.