George Pasko turned in another performance in goal, stopping nine shots and keeping Pitt-Johnstown within striking distance, but California (PA) broke through with two second-half goals to hand the Mountain Cats a 2-0 setback in Wednesday's PSAC West opener at Windber Stadium.
Pitt-Johnstown falls to 1-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play, while California (PA) improves to 2-3-3 overall and 1-0-0 in the PSAC West.
Pasko was the story for the Mountain Cats defensively, turning away five shots in the first half alone and continuing to make plays throughout the second as the Vulcans pressed. His nine saves matched California's shot total on goal almost stop-for-stop, and he kept the match scoreless deep into the second half despite Cal holding a 16-10 edge in total shots and an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Offensively, Ryan Kyei Boahen, Stanley Zdziebko and Noah Pawling each tested Vulcans goalkeeper Justin Brink with shots on frame in the first half, while Jordan Taylor came off the bench to fire a shot on goal of his own before intermission. Pawling had another good look saved in the second half as Pitt-Johnstown pushed for an equalizer.
California (PA) finally cracked the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Ryan Moessner buried his third goal of the season, unassisted, past Pasko. The Vulcans doubled their lead just under five minutes later when Jaime Marcelo Espinosa scored his fourth goal of the year in the 68th minute, assisted by Mauricio Montenegro Flores and Jan Sebest.
Pitt-Johnstown continued to push forward in the closing minutes, with Sebastian Jones getting off a shot attempt late, but the Mountain Cats couldn't find the back of the net.
Pitt-Johnstown returns to PSAC West action Saturday, at Gannon University in Erie, Pa., with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m., before returning home to host a conference match against Seton Hill on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m.
Â
