McKeesport, PA. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Soccer Team (5-2-1, 3-1-1) is looking to clinch their fifth straight Penn State University Athletic Conference playoff spot on Saturday when they take on Penn State York (3-4-1, 3-2-1) at 2 p.m. After a big win against Penn State Mont Alto on Thursday, a win on Saturday would secure PSUGA a spot in the PSUAC Playoff picture.
The PSUGA offense picked up their third shutout win of the season in the team’s 2-0 win over PSU-Mont Alto. Belmo Nurkic (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) and Idriss Benjelloun (Harrisburg, PA./Susquehanna Township HS) provided the offense each picking up a goal, and Jagesh Subba (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) pitched in with two assists helping the team move to 3-1-1 in PSUAC play.
Goalkeeper Colin Bucsok (Pittsburgh, PA./Thomas Jefferson HS) picked up his third shutout of the season in the win making three saves on three shots on goal. Surendra Basnet (Pittsburgh, PA./Baldwin HS) and Dario Marina (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) provided support up front helping keep Mont Alto out of their offensive zone throughout the day.
The win makes it back-to-back wins for PSUGA as they creep closer towards the PSUAC Playoffs. Their goal is to get to the #1 or #2 seed and get a first-round bye like they did last season. With Nurkic being the only remaining member from the championship run back in 2015, he will look to provide leadership to this year’s team as they try to make it back to that championship game at university park.
PSU-York comes into Saturday’s matchup on a hot streak having gone 3-0-1 over their last four games. They picked up a 1-0 win against PSU-Wilkes Barre last time out to move up to fifth place in the PSUAC. York’s Michael Ambrose scored the only goal of the game courtesy of a penalty kick in 59th minute that held up as the lone goal of the contest.
The all-time matchup is split with PSUGA and PSU-York each having three wins in the previous six matchups. Last season, it was PSUGA that came out on top with a 3-1 win where Nurkic scored a goal and former Lion and current assistant coach Marin Marina scored two goals in the win.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the campus of PSU-York.
