Penn State men's soccer kicked off the 2026 season with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Mercyhurst, overcoming a first-half deficit. Under new head coach Rob Dow, the Nittany Lions scored three consecutive goals after falling behind 2-0, securing their first win of the season and showcasing the talent of both new and returning players. Junior forward Amadou Kone netted his first NCAA goal, and a Laker own-goal finalized the scoring for Penn State.

By the Numbers
  • Penn State recorded 16 corner kicks, the most in a match since at least 2009.
  • Fourteen Nittany Lions made their debuts, with 11 players appearing in NCAA matches for the first time.
State of Play
  • Penn State controlled possession for much of the second half after a player from Mercyhurst received a red card in the 51st minute.
  • The Nittany Lions equalized in the 68th minute and then took the lead through an own-goal by a Mercyhurst player in the 84th minute.
What's Next

The Nittany Lions will embark on their first road trip of the season, facing Missouri State on August 23. The match will start at 8 p.m. (ET) and will be streamed on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

Bottom Line

This victory marks a promising start to the Rob Dow era, emphasizing the potential of new talent and the team鈥檚 resilience in turning the game around after a slow start. Fans can look forward to upcoming matches to see how the team builds on this momentum.