BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - No. 24 Bloomsburg men's soccer got what it needed in a 1-0 win at Steph Pettit Stadium against Frostburg State Saturday evening.

The Huskies (3-0-2) looked out of sync in the first half before coming out of the locker room with the necessary halftime reset to get the job done against the Bobcats (2-2-1). Theo Jackson (Elmore, Ohio/Woodmore) swung the pendulum in Bloomsburg's favor early in the second half, lasering a goal past Frostburg State goalkeeper Jan Foret for the decisive action in the contest.

How It Happened:
The Bobcats entered Saturday's contest with the intention of limiting attacking opportunities for the Huskies with a possession-based style of play, successfully keeping Bloomsburg at bay through the opening 45 minutes. The Huskies, however, nearly found the opening goal inside the first five minutes. Owen Hollobaugh (State College, Pa./State College) successfully turned and cut through the middle of Frostburg State's defense before splitting the defense with a pass to Sam Blumberger (Colchester, Conn./Bacon Academy) inside the box. The senior forward put too much power behind the shot, as the clear-cut chance went without a score on the board. 

From that point forward, the Bobcats sought to wear down Bloomsburg with their passing. The visitors were able to find pockets of space against the Husky defense on enough occasions early on in the contest to force goalkeeper Peter Punchello (Jamison, Pa./William Penn Charter) into early action. Punchello's activity resulted in three first-half saves, coming away with several crucial parries and catches to keep Bloomsburg's sights forward. The Huskies' lone other shot in the opening half came from a second ball on a free kick, as Caleb Sitler (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) stepped into a powerful attempt that sailed out for a goal kick.

In the opening 45 minutes of Saturday's match, Bloomsburg had just two recorded shots. Frostburg State had five, including four requiring a save from Punchello.

Needing to move forward, the Huskies entered the second half with high-level intensity. The mentality shift nearly paid off a minute into the half, as a long throw-in from Micah Diggs (Groton, Conn./Fitch) nearly connected with Kody Besser (Lacey Township, N.J./Lacey Township). The senior's diving header at the back post intended for the back of the net was thwarted by Foret to keep Bloomsburg off the board. 

Besser and Blumberger would get their revenge on Foret and the Bobcats' defense in the build-up to the Huskies' goal. Besser received the ball after Bloomsburg won possession in the midfield. In an instant, Besser played a through ball down the wing to Blumberger on the outside of the box. Blumberger laid a pass back across the face of the goal. Following a dummy by Hollobaugh, Jackson took a step and ripped a shot from 20 yards out by the extended six-foot-seven frame of Foret to put the Huskies up for good.

Bloomsburg's halftime adjustments extended into the tenacious feet every player put forward on the defensive end of the field. While Frostburg State still managed to maintain its desired possession of the ball, the Bobcats' runs and clean attempts in front of the goal diminished. The Huskies held Frostburg State to just two off-target shots in the second half, as all 11 players on the field did what was needed to secure the clean sheet and the win. 

Numbers of Note:
0 - Corner kicks are a vital tool in the Huskies' arsenal that was eliminated by the Bobcats on Saturday. Bloomsburg was held without a corner for just the third time under head coach Mark Bassett and the first time since 2023.

5 - While each result is not created equal, the Bloomsburg men's soccer team has done what is necessary to remain unbeaten through the first month of the season. It is just the second time since Bassett took over in 2021 that the Huskies have remained unbeaten through their first five contests. 

1 - Jackson's game-winner is a cause for celebration for more than one reason. After recording his first career assist in Bloomsburg's win over No. 11 Felician, Jackson now nets his first career goal with his strike on Saturday in his 32nd career collegiate match.

On the Horizon:
No. 24 Bloomsburg men's soccer gets the week off before playing its first PSAC contest of the season on the road against No. 18 East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, October 1.