Penn State Knocks Out Buckeyes on Penalty Kicks, 4-3

Wednesday, November 8

University Park, PA

6 p.m.

Ohio State

6-6-6, 3-4-1

Penn State University

10-3-5, 4-2-2

Ohio St.

Penn St.

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Penn State Knocks Out Buckeyes on Penalty Kicks, 4-3

11/8/2023 9:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 6 Ohio State (6-6-6) battled through 110 minutes of soccer Wednesday before No. 2 Penn State (10-3-5) outlasted the Buckeyes to advance on penalty kicks (4-3) to the finals of the 2023 Big Ten tournament.

The teams were tied at 1-all after 90 minutes to send the match into overtime. The teams played two extra 10-minute sessions but neither scored. The Nittany Lions were then able to advance by hitting 4-of-5 penalty kicks while the Buckeyes made three of their five attempts.

How it Happened
Sophomore Marko Borkovic drew a penalty near the Penn State goal in the 3' that was reviewed and subsequently awarded the Buckeyes a penalty kick. Laurence Wootton then converted on the PK to put the Buckeyes up 1-0.

3' | Laurence Wootton converts the penalty kick for a 1-0 Ohio State lead. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/DtPbq3WYDo
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) November 8, 2023

For Wootton, the 2023 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, it was career goal No. 17 and his fifth this season. He has made 6-of-8 penalty kicks all-time and both efforts this season.

Shortly after sophomore Luciano Pechota, selected to the 2023 Second Team All-Big Ten squad, put a blast on net that was saved by PSU keeper Kris Shakes, the Nittany Lions evened the match at 1-all on a goal by Samson Kpardeh in the 24'.

Neither team was able to get a go-ahead goal in regulation. The Nittany Lions had a couple quality chances late in regulation but starting keeper Peter Van Euwen and the Ohio State defense made big plays to keep the game tied.

Another nice play by Van Euwen with under 18 minutes to play and the score still tied at 1-all. Get to the Big Ten Network for the finish. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/C47z7BHhZ2
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) November 9, 2023

Donny Williams stopped a point-blank Penn State shot with under a minute to play after the ball got free of Van Euwen.

90' | Donny Williams with incredible save. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/6rbGWlPxCK
— Ohio State Men's Soccer (@OhioStateMSOC) November 9, 2023

The match then went to overtime and two 10-minute sessions.

Ohio State's Tanner Creech got the first scoring opportunity of the first overtime, getting by the PSU keeper but the PSU defense collapsed and allowed Shakes to cover the ball before a shot could be attempted.

Penn State then got a chance at Van Euwen but the senior keeper made his eighth save of the game to keep it at 1-all.

Neither team threatened in the remainder of the overtime sessions sending it to penalty kicks to determine the team that advanced to the Big Ten Tournament final.

Max Trejo, who did not start because of illness, then came off the bench for the Buckeyes to take over in goal for the penalty kicks.

Penn State won a coin toss and chose to go first.

Penalty Kick Order
PSU: Good left – 0-1
OSU: Grinstead good, hit the left post and bounced in (1-1)
PSU: Good upper right (1-2)
OSU: Wootton missed, saved by Shakes with his feet on a shot up the middle (1-2)
PSU: Missed left, Trejo made the save on a dive to his right (1-2)
OSU: Borkovic good with a shot to the top left (2-2_
PSU: Good upper left (2-3)
OSU: Owen Sullivan good top right (3-3)
PSU: Good bottom right (3-4)
OSU: Luciano Pechota missed right, saved by Shakes (3-4)

Penn State advances on PKs, 4-3.

Van Euwen got the start for the Buckeyes in goal after Trejo, the starter in 14 matches this year, became ill and unable to start.

Van Euwen saw action in five previous matches with starts in three, the last being in a scoreless draw in Columbus against Xavier Oct. 3. He also helped the Buckeyes shutout Butler 1-0 on the road Sept. 9 in a combined shutout with Trejo.

Ohio State is 22-28-2 all-time in Big Ten Tournament play and 3-7 vs. the Nittany Lions.

#GoBucks