UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Heading into the Big Ten Championships, the IU men's soccer team had played 236 games on the road at a total of 73 different facilities. The Hoosiers owned a winning record at all of those road facilities they had played more than four games at except for Penn State's Jeffrey Field, the host for the Big Ten Championships.\nFriday, Penn State showed why as they downed IU 4-2 on penalty kicks after tying 1-1 in regulation and two overtime periods.\nAfter Penn State defeated Wisconsin in first round action on Thursday, No. 1 seed IU knew it would face a tough challenge in conquering the Nittany Lions again. No. 4 seed Penn State did not disappoint in providing a challenge in Friday night's match, particularly after the first half.\nThe Hoosiers came out firing as they posted eight shots on goal compared to Penn State's two during the first half. Sophomore forward Mike Ambersley put IU on top 1-0 when he drilled the ball out of the air just outside Penn State's defensive box and put it in the back of the net. The Hoosiers had multiple other chances throughout the match, but were unable to capitalize on any after Ambersley's goal.\n"I thought the goal was a big lift for our team," Ambersley said. "We had more chances but were not able to put any away. The match was very physical, but that is the nature of Big Ten play, and I think we were ready for that."\nPenn State came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and knotted the game at 1-1 on sophomore Chad Severs' goal with 15:36 remaining in the match. The Hoosiers had several opportunities to regain the lead in regulation and in each overtime, but Nittany Lion senior keeper Ryan Sickman made big save after big save to keep the game tied. Sickman made consecutive diving saves on Hoosier senior Pat Noonan with 5:41 and 5:11 remaining in the first overtime when it appeared the senior Player of the Year candidate was going to help the Hoosiers advance.\nAfter two scoreless overtime periods, the match was decided by penalty kicks on a best-of-five basis. The first four shooters for the Nittany Lions were able to beat IU sophomore goalie Jay Nolly, while Sickman made a save on the Hoosiers first shot by senior back John Swann.\nAmbersley, the Hoosiers' second shooter, put his shot over the goalpost. Junior Vijay Dias and freshman Brian Plotkin both converted on their attempts for IU, but it wasn't enough as Penn State advanced to the Big Ten Championship with a 4-2 win in penalty kicks.\nSickman said he was not going to let the Nittany Lions fall after getting back into the game.\n"When we were down 1-0 we thought we could get the chances to get us back in the game," Sickman said. "Most people dread taking penalty kicks, but I love them, what a thrilling way to win."\nThe loss dropped IU to 14-3-2 on the year and 4-5-2 all-time at Jeffrey Field. Penn State moved to 13-7 this season and marked the first victory for the Nittany Lion seniors over IU.\nIn the championship game Sunday, Penn State defeated Michigan 2-1 on goals by Severs and sophomore forward Joe Zewe.\nDespite the loss, Hoosier coach Jerry Yeagley said he believed IU played the best they had ever played against Penn State at Jeffrey Field and remains optimistic about IU's chances in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.\n"We created good opportunities, but our finishing was not as sharp as it should have been," Yeagley said. "We needed to get a break. You let a team hang around like Penn State, and they will probably find a way. I am proud of this IU team, and it is better that it happened in this match than an NCAA match."
Conference honors\nThe Hoosiers trip to University Park was not a complete disappointment. At Thursday night's Big Ten Soccer Banquet, IU led the way in conference honors. Senior forward Pat Noonan won his second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award and the six straight for an IU player. Plotkin was also named the Freshman of the Year, and Yeagley won his seventh Coach of the Year award in the 12 years it has been awarded.\nIU also highlighted the All-Big Ten teams as Noonan, sophomore midfielder Ned Grabavoy and Swann were all unanimous First Team selections. Senior forward Ryan Mack, sophomore midfielder Danny O'Rourke and Nolly were also first team honorees. Senior sweeper Phil Presser received second team honors after adjusting to a new position this season.
