Northwestern Falls to Penn State, 2-1

Friday, October 4

Evanston, Ill.

4:00 PM

Northwestern

Penn State

10/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Oct. 4, 2002

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern kept No. 20 Penn State on its heels, as freshman Jaro Pylypczak (Lombard, Ill./Benet Academy) scored his first career goal to tie the match at 1-1, but a late penalty kick sealed the win for the Nittany Lions.

PSU's Brent Jacquette broke through the Wildcats' defense and was fouled in the goalbox, setting up his game-winning penalty kick.

"I think it was a bit demoralizing," said Northwestern goalkeeper J.D. Martin (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick). "They just kept coming at us for that second goal. Our guys did well to try and weather the storm, but it still is disappointing."

NU tied the contest less than 10 minutes into the second half. Paul Elkins (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) set up Dave Vargas (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Ignatius) in the left corner, and Vargas crossed it to the far post where Pylypczak headed the ball home.

The Nittany Lions' Gabe Bernstein scored the only goal of the first half. Bernstein corralled a loose ball from 30 yards out and fired it in the net.

The Wildcats fell to 4-6 (0-2 Big Ten) with the loss, while Penn State improved to 7-4 (2-1). NU returns to action at 1 p.m. Sunday against Western Michigan at Lakeside Field.