Box Score Keuka Park, N.Y. - Two overtimes. Two headers. Two game-winning goals. Probably not how Penn State Abington men's soccer coach David Castellanos saw the 2012 season opening. But just as for any other coach, a win is a win in Castellanos' book, and with today's thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Keuka College, the Nittany Lions open their season 2-0.
 
The first half was a period dominated by the Nittany Lions. In fact, Penn State Abington outshot Keuka 6-1 in the half, and 18-5 on the game. However, freshman goalkeeper Preston Vick was solid in goal for the Storm, and the Nittany Lions were held scoreless for the duration of the half. Keuka's lone shot of the half came on a header in the 20^th minute, but freshman goalkeeper James Carlin was up to the task for Penn State Abington, and the half ended with the teams still knotted at 0-0.
 
It would not take long for that scoreline to change in the second half. Penn State Abington got on the board in just three minutes into the frame, as senior forward Julian Ward, who took a team high eight shots on the day, notched his second goal of the season and put the Nittany Lions on top 1-0.
 
It appeared as if Penn State Abington would take this early second-half goal and run away with the game, tallying another five shots in the next 20 minutes of play. However, two big plays took place that seemed to turn the game around in favor of Keuka. First, in the 59^th minute, Penn State Abington was awarded a penalty kick, which Ward stepped up to take. Vick came up big for the Storm, though, making a huge save to keep his team within a goal. Then, in the 72^nd minute, things got a little scrappy and the Nittany Lions earned a yellow card.
 
After this card was awarded, Keuka came immediately downfield in the next run of play and knotted the game back up at 1-1. Junior midfielder Nate Schreiber sent a pass to his teammate, senior forward Nate Smith. Smith was able to clear enough space to line up a shot, and he let fly with a 25-yarder from outside the box. The shot curled over and around Carlin and inside the far post, suddenly tying the game right back up.
 
After this game-tying goal, the Nittany Lions carried the momentum right back, getting off the final three shots of the frame without allowing another chance on goal for Keuka. Ward was able to let fly with two shots of his own with less than two minutes to play, but Vick again came up with a great save to keep the game tied and guarantee overtime.
 
Flashing back to the first game of the season for the Nittany Lions, another 2-1 overtime victory over Cairn, the game-winning goal was scored off a header by junior Matt Howard. Once again this time, the game would be won off of a headed goal for the Nittany Lions. In the 98^th minute, a Keuka player committed a foul against the Nittany Lions deep in the offensive zone. Junior midfielder Andre Lynahping sent the direct free kick into the box, and while it didn't find the net, it did bounce dangerously back into the air. Senior midfielder Joshua Clinger was in perfect position for the Nittany Lions, and he leapt up in the air to meet the ball, sending a thrashing header directly into the back of the net.
 
This game-winning goal sent the Penn State Abington players and coaches into a frenzy for the second straight game. It also gives the Nittany Lions their 2-0 record and puts them at the top of the NEAC conference with a 1-0 record. Penn State Abington continues their New York swing tomorrow, as they face off against Wells College in Aurora, N.Y. Gametime is set for 3 p.m. Stay tuned to abingtonsports.com for all your Penn State Abington men's soccer updates this season.