Box Score

OAKFORD, PA - It might have taken a a game or two longer than initially hoped for, but the Crimson Eagles collected their first win of the season Monday evening, slipping past host Penn State Abington, 1-0.

After getting sideswiped by the Nittany Lions 5-2 a year ago - a performance that included a Herculean-type feat from then-sophomore Elsion Pajollari who scored all five of Abington's goals during the contest - PBU came out in their most recent campaign determined to shut down Pajollari's magic and PSU's high powered front line.

Somehow, they did.

The Crimson Eagles allowed 17 shots on the afternoon but submitted a "bend but not break effort", fending off Abington's relentless pursuit of the cage for all 90 minutes. PBU's rookie keeper, Dave Schaffer, turned away eight shots on goal to help preserve program's first shutout win in sixteen tries, a streak that previously dated back to the midpoint of last September.

It was an admirable effort all around as the Crimson Eagle back line successfully stifled an Abington group that scored three or more goals in 10 of 18 outings throughout last year's campaign.

Gary Bruce's first collegiate goal was registered in the 79th minute as the first-year forward slipped past PSU's goalie for a look at an open net. His shot, uncontested, went in. Bruce's score turned out to be the game-winner as Abington's pressure over the final 11 minutes proved to be fruitless.

The win improve the Crimson Eagles to 1-2 on the year while Penn State Abington falls to 1-1.

The soccer team will take a five-day vacation from game action before their final contest of the week this Saturday. PBU will go up against Penn State Harrisburg (2-0) - a team they haven’t faced in four years - during a game that signals the Crimson Eagles’ home opener. Action is set to begin at 2:00 pm.