Bevin Scores Twice in Win at No. 12 Penn State
October 22, 2014 08:44 PM | General
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West Virginia improved to 7-6-1 overall and is now 3-1-1 in its last five meetings against the Nittany Lions, including 2-0-1 at Penn State. The loss is the third straight for Penn State, who drops to 10-3-1 after beginning the season 10-0-1.
“The resiliency was tremendous tonight. Our guys really came together as a group this evening,” coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “We needed our entire squad this evening and we got a collective effort. I’m proud of these guys to come from behind on the road and beat a top-15 team.”
Bevin scored goals in the 62nd minute and 69th minute, giving the Mountaineers a 2-1 lead after conceding a goal early in the second half.
“Credit to the team, we dug in and we didn’t give up. We took the game to them in the second half,” Bevin said. “It’s the first time I’ve won here and that’s a good team we played. To come on their home pitch and get the win is a great feeling.”
Bevin’s first goal beat Penn State goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton to his right from eight yards out following a long cross from the left side of the field by senior Paul Ehrenworth. It was the first assist of Ehrenworth’s career.
In the 70th minute freshman Jad Arslan worked his way around Penn State’s Mike Robinson and was taken down inside the box, drawing a penalty kick. Bevin easily put the penalty kick past Wolverton for his ninth goal of the season.
Penn State’s Drew Klingenberg nearly tied it for Penn State in the 71st minute, but sent a shot from the top of the box just wide left of frame.
WVU senior goalkeeper Lee Johnston made the save of the match in the 86th minute on Penn State’s Mikey Minutillo. Minutillo took a rebounded shot and Johnston made a diving save to right that went off his fingertips and out of bounds.
Connor Maloney gave Penn State a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute with a shot into the lower left corner from 18 yards out on the left side of the field. The goal was Maloney’s team-leading eighth of the season.
Penn State finished with a 14-11 shot advantage. Bevin took a team high four shots, including two shots on goal for the Mountaineers.
West Virginia escaped early damage in the 22nd minute following a defensive breakdown. Minutillo made a run past sophomore Jack Elliott and Johnston came out to meet Minutillo. Minutillo got around both players and fired a shot at the open net that went off the crossbar.
Elliott had a turnover in the 32nd minute that nearly cost a goal, but Mark Wadid hit the breakaway shot off the crossbar.
Johnston made his first save in the 43rd minute, diving to his left upper 90 and punching the ball over the frame. Elliott attempted a clearance that hit off the thigh of Penn State’s Brian James and back to Johnston.
Johnston finished with two saves in his third win of the season. Wolverton allowed two goals without making a save for Penn State.
West Virginia returns to the friendly confines of Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, for a match against Mid-American Conference foe Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. For links to live stats and a video stream of the match, visit WVUsports.com. Fans can follow the action through social media by following @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter.
