MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – The No. 25 Salisbury University men's soccer team fell for the first time this season, in a 1-0 battle against Penn State University-Harrisburg Saturday afternoon. 

The Sea Gulls (9-1-3, 3-1 CAC) saw the Lions get the first shot opportunity in the game in the ninth minute, but answered back with three of their own in the opening 45, including one on goal by junior Dennis Runikera, Jr., that was pulled in by Lion goalkeeper Brandon Hoover. 

Taking the scoreless game into the break, Salisbury would come out firing in the second half of play to add 10 more attempts to the score sheet. Junior Chris Kittelberger got SU started just 22 seconds into the final 45 minutes, taking an early shot which was saved by Hoover. 

The opportunities continued for the Gulls with four more on target within a three-minute span. Seniors Benjamin Aryeetey, Stephen Poorman and Tanner East all tallied shots on target, but Hoover was on top of his game turning away all four. 

The scoreless game was eliminated in the 78th minute, when Penn State-Harrisburg's Aaron Kline found the back of the net. 

The Sea Gulls looked to counter in the closing 12 minutes, with an opportunity by sophomore Nathan Mattola in the 90th minute, but would come up just short. 

Although SU dropped its first game of the season, the goal tallied by the Lions is just the sixth given up through 13 games, as the Gulls maintain a 0.43 goals-against average. Junior goalkeeper Drew Staedeli recorded the loss in the net, only seeing one shot through 90 minutes of play. 

The men travel back home for their next match, as Salisbury welcomes Marymount (Va.) University to the SU Soccer Complex on Wednesday, October 15. First touch is set for 4 p.m.