MSOC: Penn State Defeats Rutgers in Thrilling Double OT Game

Story posted October 21, 2016 in CommRadio, Sports by Jordan Hall

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -  With 34 minutes gone on a cold and windy night at Jeffery Field, Freshman forward Frankie de la Camara found himself the focus of a mob of teammates headed his way. A minute earlier, de la Camara had curled a ball past the Rutger’s keeper, with his first career goal opening the scoring for Penn State (7-6-3) in a 3-2 (2OT) win over Rutgers.

Within minutes of coming on to the pitch as a sub, de la Camara was allowed plenty of time and space at the edge of Rutgers’ box, and capitalized with a clean, curling shot into the back of the net.  Many of Rutgers’ defenders seemed to be drawn in by the run of Pierre Reedy, who was able to find the open de la Camara with a measured ball across the box. This came after much frustration early on, as Penn State just couldn’t seem to beat Rutgers’ goalkeeper David Greczek, who did well to keep his team in the game.

A worrying moment for Penn State in the second half saw Connor Maloney go down after a late Rutgers challenge. Maloney was helped off the field with an apparent knee injury, leaving fans in the stadium stunned. The injury stung even more given that Rutgers had just equalized a minute earlier, after Dante Perez went clean through on goal. It was Penn State though that broke the deadlock as an inspired Connor Maloney returned to the pitch.

“I didn’t want to stay on that bench,” Maloney said. “I couldn’t.”

Maloney was able to wriggle his way through the Rutgers’ defense and fire off a low shot into the corner, putting Penn State in the driver’s seat late on. With the win looking likely, Rutgers’ was able to spoil the party. In the 88th minute the Scarlet Knights were able to score on a free-kick with virtually their last touch in normal time.

Penn State took full control in both the first and second overtime, with the Rutgers team seemingly happy with a draw. With two minutes left in the second overtime, Penn State was finally rewarded for their efforts. Aymar Sigue found the net from a Connor Maloney through-ball, and sent Penn State fans home happy.

For Bob Warmings’ team, the game was yet another overtime affair, one of many this season. Though acknowledging it took a toll on his team, Warming was very happy with the thrilling win.

“We are exhausted,” Warming said. “But you know what? We are proud.”

For Rutgers, it was yet another loss on the season, as the team is still without a win. Though they didn’t offer much in attack, they still may find themselves unlucky to not get anything out of a game in which they equalized twice.

Penn State will honor the team’s seniors next in their last regular season home game on October 25th. They look to continue their hot streak against Wright State.

 

Jordan Hall is a sophomore majoring in Digital and Print Journalism. To contact him, email jvh5776@psu.edu.