Penn State New Kensington men’s soccer Mark Duffield didn’t look, but could only imagine the heart rate level charted by his fitness watch during the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Championship game.

Few things went right for the local Lions before Armstrong graduate Tanner Stockdill scored in overtime to clinch the program’s first conference title in his 68th appearance for PSNK. The local Lions beat Penn State Scranton, 1-0, in the championship match.

“I was so grateful,” Stockdill said. “It was super hectic. I was able to step up, it was the right time and the right opportunity.”

PSNK, which played its first season in 2010, was awarded the No. 2 seed for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association tournament this weekend. The local Lions will open up Pool B play on Friday at AHN Montour Junction with a match against Central Penn. The final will be held at Highmark Stadium.

The University of Cincinnati Clermont is the other team in PSNK’s pool. In Pool A, defending national champion Central Maine Community College is the top seed. PSNK (14-5-3) has seen both teams in its pool already this season. The local Lions beat Central Penn, 4-2, on Oct. 25 and lost to UC Clermont, 3-1, on Aug. 30.

Recruiting for PSNK, which is set to close following the spring 2027 semester, wasn’t an easy task for Duffield. He felt fortunate a lot of his experienced players stuck around.

“I wanted us to finish our way,” Duffield said. “I can’t change because the school is closing. We wanted to go out on top and win a PSUAC championship. It’s a testament to these guys, who are academic All-Americans.”

PSNK sophomore forward Jayson Ireland, a Burrell graduate, is the local Lions leading scorer. He wasn’t originally planning to go to college. But he chose to go to PSNK and called Duffield, who allowed him to come out for the team.

Ireland has scored 22 goals this season, up from five in his first season. Ireland assisted Stockdill on his winning goal in the final.

“I’m grateful to be with the team,” Ireland said. “My family shows up to the game and provides great support. I’ve been able to meet a lot of cool guys here.”

In the postseason, PSNK’s togetherness has netted strong results. The local Lions shut out all three of their opponents in the PSUAC tournament, knocking off Penn State Beaver, 5-0, and Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2-0, before taking down Scranton in the final.

“This is everything we worked for,” Ireland said. “We were glad we could give Mark the championship he deserved.”

The championship match was no easy task. The local Lions were playing down a man after taking a red card. Penn State Scranton had a penalty kick in overtime that was saved by David Jimenez.

Jimenez is from Miami, Fla., and had no Western Pennsylvania connection before coming to the play for PSNK.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Jimenez said. “The pressure was more on him because they probably thought they had their hands on the trophy. I used to be a field player and I’ve been on the line taking penalties. When it’s a right-footed kicker, I try to go to their left and my right.”

This is the third time PSNK has qualified for the USCAA tournament. The local Lions lost a pair of matches in pool play in Virginia Beach in 2021. Last season, PSNK collected its first-ever win at nationals when Ireland netted an 83rd-minute winner against Paul Smith’s College.

Stockdill is excited for another opportunity to suit up.

“I was really glad I got all four years,” Stockdill said. “Mark believed in me from Day 1. The program has grown and gotten better.”

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