ALTOONA, Pa. (Sept. 2) – Playing its second game in as many nights, the Waynesburg University men's soccer team traveled to Penn State Altoona on Wednesday. The Yellow Jackets took down the Lions 3-2 for their first win of the season.
In the 10th minute, junior defender Sam Norris (Natrona Heights, Pa. / Highlands) headed in the first goal of the season for Waynesburg (1-1) off a pass from senior forward Zach Johnson (Raceland, Ky. / Saint Joseph Central Catholic). Penn State Altoona (0-1) tied the game at 1-1 23 minutes later.
The Yellow Jackets responded late in the first half when junior forward Josh Smith (Dover, Ohio / Dover) found freshman defender Brayden Boris (Coraopolis, Pa. / Montour), who headed one past the Penn State Altoona goalkeeper to put Waynesburg up 2-1 heading into the break.
Johnson picked up his second assist in the 59th minute on an upfield pass to senior Antonio Baires (San Marcos, Calif. / Calvin Christian), who shot one into the back of the net, making it 3-1. Penn State Altoona received a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, which they converted to trim the deficit back to one. However, the Jacket defense stiffened over the final 16-plus minutes to secure the victory.
Senior goalkeeper Zachary Reed (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton LaSalle) stopped two of the four Penn State Altoona shots he saw to earn his first win of the year between the pipes.
Waynesburg outshot Penn State Altoona 20-14 and also led 9-4 in shots on goal.
Next up, the Yellow Jackets head to Pittsburgh to battle La Roche on Saturday, Sept. 5. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
