Behrend Opens ECAC Tournament With 2 to 1 Win Over Neumann

The Penn State Behrend Lions began their quest towards an ECAC South title with an opening round 2 to 1 win in overtime over Neumann University on Wednesday, November 11.  The game was played at Gannon University.

The first half saw little opportunities to put any goals on the board as both defenses played well from the start.  Senior goalkeeper Dustin Walker (Apollo/Kiski) would tally four saves in the first half.  Neumann outshot the blue and white six to five and had four shots on goal as opposed to three for Behrend.

Neumann struck first with 18:44 remaining in the second half when Alfred Baa-Adomako connected on a header from a pass by teammate Zach Sell.  No more than 40 seconds later Behrend would tie the score at one with an unbelievable header by Jerry Tortella (Pittsburgh/Thomas Jefferson) that traveled nearly 20 yards before it found the back of the net.  After 90 minutes of play, the game was still knotted at one and heading into overtime.  With 4:43 remaining in overtime, junior Ryan Banks (Allison Park/Hampton) headed a ball that hit the post, then ricocheted back to him and kicked it in for the game winner.

Behrend's record improves to 16-5-2 overall with the win and will play Lebanon Valley in the semi-finals at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.  Earlier this season Lebanon Valley and Behrend played to a 1-1 double overtime tie in the season opener for both teams.
 

First Round - Wednesday, November 11
Game 1 - #8 Neumann 1 at #1 Penn State-Behrend 2 (OT)
Game 2 - #7 Wesley (10-9) at #2 Penn State-Abington (12-4)
Game 3 - #6 Stevenson (12-9) at #3 Penn State-Altoona (13-6-1)
Game 4 - #5 DeSales (10-7) at #4 Lebanon Valley (10-7-2)

Semifinals - Saturday, November 14 * at Gannon University
Game 5 Stevenson vs. Wesley at 11:00 a.m.
Game 6 Penn State Behrend vs. Lebanon Valley at 1:30 p.m.

Championship - Saturday, November 15 * at Gannon University
Game 7 Semifinal winners at 12:00 p.m.