WESTMINSTER, Md. - Sophomore
Nicholas Clarke posted the first multi-goal game of his career as the McDaniel College men's soccer team opened the 2026 season with a 2-1 victory over Penn State Harrisburg Tuesday at the Soccer Complex.
The Green Terror (1-0) claimed their second-straight season-opening win after posting a 3-0 win at Penn State Altoona a year ago.
Clarke's four points were a career-high as he scored both goals, equaling his 18-game total from his first collegiate season.
Clarke scored both goals in the game's first 11 minutes, less than six minutes apart. He scored on the first shot of the season for McDaniel, scoring just 4:33 into the season off an assist from first-year
Quinn Pudloski.
Following a shot by senior
Eyuel Reta that was saved by Nittany Lion keeper Jimmy Shensky, Clarke struck again at 10:16 off a feed from first-year
David O'Donnell.
The Green Terror held its 2-0 lead into halftime, holding a 6-4 edge in shots. First-yearÂ
Gavin Yartymyk made three saves in his first 45 career minutes in goal.
Penn State Harrisburg (0-1) picked up the pressure in the second half, taking 11 shots, six of which were saved by Yartymyk.
Tai Bhalla got the Nittany Lions on the board in the 73rd minute to cut the McDaniel lead in half, but Yartymyk turned away all three Penn State Harrisburg shots on goal in the final four minutes to preserve the win.
The contest featured 10 total cards, including nine yellow and one red.
Yartymyk finished with nine saves in his collegiate debut as the Nittany Lions held a 15-11 edge in shots and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
McDaniel travels to Randolph-Macon on Friday for a 4 p.m. non-conference contest against the Yellow Jackets.
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