LA PLUME, PA- The Keystone College men's soccer team secured a spot in the United East Conference playoffs Wednesday, closing its conference schedule with a 3-1 setback against Penn State Abington at the Keystone Turf Field and Track Complex.
Aiden Cummings (Baltimore, MD/Mount Saint Joseph) scored an early goal and James Kallens (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central Regional) finished with eight saves for the Giants, who remained level with the Nittany Lions until the closing 15 minutes. Despite the outcome, Keystone clinched a postseason berth and finished United East play with a 4-4 record, moving to 6-9-1 overall.
Cummings gave the Giants an early spark, testing Abington goalkeeper Hector Ortiz with a shot on goal three minutes into the match before finding the net at the 3:15 mark for a 1-0 Keystone lead. Barrett Wood (Norfolk, VA/Matthew Fontaine Maury) followed with an attempt wide of the goal as the Giants created opportunities in the opening minutes.
Abington tied the match at 5:33, but Keystone kept the score even through halftime. Cummings put another attempt on target in the 22nd minute, while Kallens made five first-half saves, including stops in the 40th and 43rd minutes.
The Giants generated two quick chances early in the second half. Johan Fernandez (Decatur, AL/Decatur) put a shot on goal at 50:42, and John Covert (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport) followed five seconds later with another attempt that Ortiz saved. Cummings added a shot over the goal in the 54th minute.
Kallens recorded three more saves after the break, helping Keystone keep the match tied at 1-1 into the 76th minute. Abington then scored twice in a 39-second span to move ahead for the final margin.
Cummings led Keystone with four shots, including three on goal. Fernandez and Covert each added a shot on target, accounting for the Giants' other two attempts on frame.
With its conference schedule complete, Keystone has earned the opportunity to continue its season in the United East playoffs. The Giants' postseason opponent has yet to be determined.
Keystone rounds out their regular season with a home contest against McDaniel College on October 28, at 6:00 PM.
All playoff information will be determined following the conclusion of the United East Conference schedule later this week.
