Lions outpace Wilkes-Barre, 10-1

By: Matylda Zamudio

BEAVER FALLS, Pa.—The Penn State Beaver men's soccer team ended the regular season on a high note with a 10-1 conference win in the team's final game of the regular season on Sunday against Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

The Lions got hot early, with freshman Mishael Garcia (Los Angeles/Alexander Hamilton) netting a goal on an assist by senior Romaine Thompson (Philadelphia/Penn Wood) less than two minutes in. Garcia struck again seven minutes later after he connected with sophomore Danylo Yakymov (Kiev/Grand Private Lyceum) to put up back-to-back goals for Beaver (2-0). At the 12th minute, Thompson got down to Wilkes-Barre's box and fired the third goal to put the visitors in a 3-0 hole. Two minutes later, freshman Grigorios Papachristos (Athens/Valley Christian) made his way back to the box and put up goal five, followed by Yakymov earning a goal of his own two minutes later, prompting Beaver to take a 5-0 lead at the half.

The Lions kept their foot on the gas in the second period, sophomore RJ Long (Atco/Winslow Township) helped Garcia earn a hat trick off a sixth Beaver goal at the 48-minute mark (6-0). Senior John Kazmierczyk (Conway/Quigley) got right back to the box less than a minute later and converted on a pass by senior Cory Mueller (Ambridge) to put the Lions up by seven. Beaver kept up the offensive attack as Yakymov banked his second goal of the game (8-0). Two minutes later, freshman Dillan Phenegar (Hot Springs/Bath County) netted his first career goal of the season and followed it up with a second goal within a minute to round out the Lions' scoring for the day. While Wilkes-Barre managed to get on the scoreboard with a goal at the 62-minute mark, Beaver went on to win 10-1.

Inside the box:

Garcia was at the helm of the offense today, finishing with three goals on four shots with three on goal, followed by Yakymov, who earned two goals on six shots, had three on goal and tallied on one assist. 

Phenegar scored two goals on two shots. Thompson scored one goal and on two shots, had two on goal and two assists. Kazmierczyk finished with one goal on three shots with two on goal. Papachristos scored one goal on two shots.

At the net, freshman Julian Hauff (Frederick/Governor Thomas Johnson) had four saves against the five SOG he faced.

Beaver outshot Wilkes-Barre 33-7 and 4-2 on corner kicks.

Beaver finishes the season with a 12-4 overall record and an 8-1 record in the PSUAC conference standings. The Lions are ranked second in the PSUAC conference standings, and their first playoff match is TBA.