Bikanura Records Hat-Trick in Men's Soccer Victory Over Penn State Beaver

New Brighton, Pa. - Senior forward Pascal Bikanura (Pittsburgh, Pa.) recorded a hat-trick to lead the Penn State New Kensington Men's Soccer team to a 5-2 victory over Penn State Beaver in an important Penn State University Athletics Conference match-up. The Lions finish the regular season 6-4-1 overall and 5-3-1 in the PSUAC. 

Beaver was on the board early with Noah Zajicek scoring in the seventh minute. Bikanura responded back within two minutes for New Kensington, finding the net off a pass from freshman Jorge Oliver (Gibsonia, Pa.). The Lions went up 2-1 when the same duo connected in the 24th minute. Again, Bikanura scored from Oliver's pass. Bikanura completed his hat-trick in 34th minute, this time receiving the assist from freshman Matt Matsey (Pittsburgh, Pa.). The teams entered half-time with New Kensington leading 3-1.

Matsey found his own way to the goal in the 62nd minute to bring the score to 4-1. Beaver followed quickly with a goal from John Kazmierczyk to cut the lead to two. Andrew Perenic (Gibsonia, Pa.) concluded the scoring for New Kensington, finishing a pass from sophomore Cy Milko (Plum, Pa.).

Sophomore goalkeeper Joshua Zakrzewski (Finleyville, Pa.) recorded eight saves in goal for the Lions. Bikanura finished the regular season with team-highs of 14 goals and 32 points.

New Kensington will now wait to see who they will face in the first round of the PSUAC Playoffs. That round is set for Wednesday, October 25, with the time and location yet to be determined.