NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. - The third-seeded Penn State New Kensington men's soccer team will make an appearance in the PSUAC Tournament semi-finals for the third year in a row after a 3-1 victory over sixth-seeded Penn State Lehigh Valley today. The Lions will look to break into the championship game with a win over second-seeded Penn State Beaver on Saturday.
Freshman midfielder Brady Braun (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) put New Kensington on the scoreboard in the 17th minute when he netted a deflection from a Lehigh Valley defender. However, Lehigh Valley knotted the score at 1-1 in the second minute of the first half. CJ Semet scored that goal on a pass from Majed Salama.
New Kensington gained the upper hand again when sophomore forward Andrew Perenic (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) beat Lehigh Valley's keeper on a breakaway in the 57th minutes. The goal marked Perenic's tenth of the season and put the Lions up 2-1. In the 69th minute, junior midfielder Nate Andrews (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) added an assurance goal when he convereted a penalty kick opportunity.
Freshman goalkeeper Christopher Zolet (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) made eight saves in the win for New Kensington.
The Lions will travel to Beaver on Saturday, Oct. 27 for the semifinal round of the PSUAC tournament. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Freedom Area High School in Freedom, Pa.
2018 PSUAC Men's Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinals - Wednesday, October 24, 2018
#3 New Kensington 3, #6 Lehigh Valley 1
#4 Greater Allegheny 4, #5 York 1
Semifinals - Saturday, October 27, 2018
#3 New Kensington at #2 Beaver, 7 p.m. @ Freedom Area High School
#4 Greater Allegheny at #1 Brandywine, 1 p.m.
Championship - Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Semifinal Winners at University Park, Pa., 4 p.m.