FUS Men's Soccer Falls to Penn State Altoona in Overtime, 3-2

STEUBENVILLE, OH - The Franciscan University of Steubenville men's soccer team lost a tough game to conference foe Penn State Altoona during Franciscan's Homecoming Weekend on Friday. The 3-2 loss in overtime dropped the Barons' record to 6-6-1 (2-3) on the season.

The Barons fought hard in the first half, but fell behind, 2-0, after goals by Brind Satterfield and Ben Oswald for the Nittany Lions, which put Penn State Altoona ahead by the 20th minute.

Franciscan University got on the board with thirteen minutes left. Sophomore sensation Steve Duran from Chantilly, VA made a beautiful cross-pass to freshman Thomas Allen from Manchester, NH who headed the ball into the high right corner of the goal just out of the reach of Nittany Lion goal keeper Chris Bolea. It was Allen's first goal of the season and Duran's third assist. The Barons went into the half trailing 2-1.

The Barons kept the momentum into the second half, battling hard. Senior Ryan Keogler, a grad student from Newton, CT, scored a spectacular goal in the 15th minute after being leveled by a Penn State player to tie the game at 2-2. The goal was Keogler's third goal in only his fifth game coming back from injury. The game went to overtime, where, unfortunately for the Barons, Penn State Altoona's Geremy Graham headed the ball in the second minute to give the visitors the victory. Franciscan was out shot by Penn State Altoona, 10-8.

Coach Antonio Soave, despite the loss, was pleased with his team. "We battled hard and showed great spirit. We played with great conviction and never gave up- and that has been the story of our season. Never give up. We got great play from Steve [Duran], Ryan [Keogler] and Jamie [Cleaton]. But we all played with great faith." The Barons will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday Oct. 4 at home against conference opponent Penn State Behrend on the Steubenville campus.