UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Fifth-ranked California suffered its first blemish of the season on Friday the 13th when it tied Penn State, 1-1, in double overtime at Jeffrey Field. Cal’s record now stands at 3-0-1 after the first match between the two programs, while the Nittany Lions improved to 2-2-1 after the nonconference match.

“It was a well-played match by both teams,” Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. “We’re a little disappointed because we had some great chances to open the game up, and ultimately a win didn’t manifest itself. However, playing a quality team like Penn state on the road and getting a draw is still a positive performance for the team.”

In that first half, senior forward Luis Fuentes had a chance from inside the six-yard box early that went just over the crossbar. Late in regulation, Penn State cleared shots by junior midfielder Connor Hallisey (at 87:16) and Fuentes (87:22) off of the goalline. Both sides had some good chances that went begging, including a shot by Penn State’s Jordan Tyler that junior midfielder Max Oldham cleared off of Cal’s line at 105:00 in the second overtime. On the last scoring chance of the game, Cal defender Steve Birnbaum headed wide at 105:56 in the second overtime.

Much earlier in the match, Birnbaum nodded in Cal’s goal off a corner kick by senior midfielder Ryan Neil at 19:23 in the first half. That marked the fifth-year senior’s team-high third goal of the season.

Penn State’s Kyle MacDonald knotted the match at 1-1 with a goal at the 76:33 mark; Owen Griffith got the assist.

The Bears outshot the Lions, 15-11. Cal sophomore goalkeeper Justin Taillole did not register a save, while Andrew Wolverton posted four saves for Penn State.

Cal returns to the cozy confines of Edwards Stadium and Goldman Field for its next matches against Colgate on Sept. 20 and the College of Charleston on Sept. 22.

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