ALTOONA, PA:  The deciding goal came just over two minutes into the first overtime period as Albright's Tom Talarico netted his second goal of the day, lifting Albright to the 2-1 victory over Marietta in the opening round of the 2006 Penn State Altoona Fall Invitational.

In a game that featured excellent defense and a nearly even number of shot attempts, Talarico proved to be the difference.  Besides the game winner in overtime, he also scored Albright's first goal of the game at the 53:12 mark in the second half, tying the game at one and sending it to the extra period. 

Marietta's only goal came just over five minutes into the contest, as Joel Nau kicked home the one-timer off a Kyle Boyd assist.  Albright (2-0) had 16 shot attempts on the game compared to Marietta's (0-3) 13. 

Marietta will play in tomorrow's Consolation game against Thiel College, which fell at the hands of Penn State Altoona 8-0.  That game will begin at 12:00 noon.  Albright meets Penn State Altoona in the title tilt at 4:00 PM.

GAME 2:       Penn State Altoona       8           Thiel College       0 

ALTOONA, PA:  It was an impressive home-opener for the Lion men's soccer squad, as they defeated Thiel College 8-0 to advance to tomorrow's 2006 Penn State Altoona Fall Invitational Championship game.

The scoring started early and continued throughout as the Lions jumped on Thiel from the get go.  Freshman Tim Morris opened the floodgates with a goal via a Bryan Pierzga assist at the 14:07 mark of the first half.  Morris returned the favor later in the game as he assisted Pierzga for a goal in the 46th minute.  Fellow freshmen Sean Rhodes (assist Pierzga), Corey Suter (assist Rhodes), Chris Baker (assist Suter), and Nate Shuey (assist Dan Saxton) all tallied scores for the Lions, who improved to 1-1-1 overall. 

Some Lion veterans also got into the action, including Pierzga (2 goals and 2 assists), Saxton (one goal, one assist), and JC Campbell (one assist).  The Lions out-shot the Tomcats 29-2 on the night and didn't allow a single shot on goal. 

The Lions will now meet Albright College in the championship game tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 PM.  Thiel will get Marietta College in the 12:00 noon consolation game.