Penn State New Kensington Wins First Men's Soccer Title in Walkoff Fashion

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State University Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship needed more than 90 minutes on Tuesday night in Panzer Stadium in an instant classic, with Penn State New Kensington picking up a goal in the second overtime period to win their first title in program history over Penn State Scranton.

Tanner Stockdill found the back of the net from 20 yards out off a pass from Jayson Ireland in the 105th minute for the first goal of the match to seal the victory in the first overtime championship game since 2021. After a scoreless regulation and first overtime period, a winner was finally crowned.

In what was a physical and competitive battle, each team had multiple looks throughout the game. New Kensington's final attack found the net for the 1-0 win after controlling much of the game. Scranton played tremendous defense all night and settled in after giving up a few early shots, but New Kensington continued to press forward. Despite being outshot 19-8, Scranton had great opportunities to find the net, with a couple of shots going just wide. 

However, no opportunity for Scranton was bigger than a penalty kick in the first overtime period. Fouled in the box, Fabrice Gatsinzi stepped up for a penalty kick and a chance to send Scranton to victory. But with a last second kick with his back leg, New Kensington goalkeeper David Jimenez got a piece of the ball and knocked it back into the field of play to keep his team alive. 

Ryan Smith was phenomenal in goal for Scranton, recording nine saves as his back line forced several other shots wide. But his counterpart in the other net came away with four saves, including the huge penalty kick. 

Ireland had the most shots of anybody with seven, including three on goal as he controlled New Kensington's offensive pace and control. Ireland's throw-in and eventual control of the ball at the corner of the 18-yard box led to a pass to the middle of the field and Stockdill left no doubt as he found the left side of the net.

New Kensington earns the PSUAC's automatic bid into the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Men's Soccer National Championship tournament scheduled for November 13-17, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Scranton's awaits its fate as it would require earning an at-large bid, but despite their huge late season wins they may not be ranked high enough to earn one of the four open spots.