Northwestern men draw with Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 21 Northwestern men's soccer team got the go-ahead goal from senior Eamon O'Neill with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, but a hand ball call in the box in the final minute of regulation allowed Penn State to convert on a penalty kick as the teams tied 1-1 Sunday afternoon.

The draw allowed the Wildcats to extend their unbeaten streak to nine straight matches while moving the record to 6-1-4 overall and 1-0-1 in Big Ten play. Penn State saw its overall record go to 7-3-2 and 2-0-1 in conference action.

It appeared as though NU was headed for its fourth consecutive 1-0 victory when Eamon O'Neill was able to put away his second goal of the season with just 5:08 remaining when he beat Nittany Lion keeper Warren Gross. Peter O'Neill was credited with an assist on the play.

However, the hosts kept the pressure on and it paid off in the 90th minute. Matheus Braga won a ball near the Northwestern endline and centered a pass to Corey Hertzog. Hertzog was unable to get off a shot but unfortunately for the Wildcats, his pass back out it hit an NU player in the hand, drawing the hand ball call. Hertzog took the ensuing penalty kick and was able to convert to tie the score with just 39 seconds left.

Penn State recorded three shots in the first overtime and four more in the second extra session compared to one for Northwestern in each period, but neither team was able to post a winning score as both squads remained undefeated in conference play. Both of the Wildcats' shots in the overtimes were on goal, while just two of PSU's seven attempts were on target

The Nittany Lions finished with a 28-16 advantage in shots. Reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Misha Rosenthal made nine saves for NU, while the team was credited with two more stops. Gross was credited with seven saves for Penn State.

Northwestern returns to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday as it opens a four-game homestand against Western Illinois.