UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men’s soccer will travel to College Park on Tuesday, October 1st where they will face the No. 19 Maryland Terrapins. The match will be streamed on Big Ten Network at 6 p.m. (ET) with Dean Linke and Patrick Doody on the call.
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions defeated St. John’s 2-1 in a non-conference matchup away in Queens, N.Y. The Red Storm kept possession for the majority of the first half and were first on the board after a goal by Tyler Morock in the 21st minute. Late in the second half, Penn State’s Matthew Henderson managed to even the score by bending a corner kick into the back of the net. Just five minutes later, Henderson made a quick pass in the box to Michael Hewes, who put a shot past St, John’s keeper for the winning goal.
Redshirt freshman Fredrick Grundin registered three saves in 90 minutes. He remains undefeated between the posts this season.
Henderson now leads the Nittany Lions with eight points coming from three goals and two assists.
Penn State holds an overall record of 4-5-0 (1-2-0 B1G).
2024 PREVIEW
Head Coach Jeff Cook returns at the helm of the Penn State men’s soccer program for his seventh season. The two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year will aim to return to the conference tournament finals for the fourth time in his PSU career after earning a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Title in 2023.
Assistant Coaches Clint Long (fifth season), Sean Lawlor (second season) and Oscar Umar (second season) also return to Happy Valley to help Cook make another post season run.
Penn State was picked to finish second in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll behind Indiana. Last season the Nittany Lions finished 10-5-4 after falling to the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament Finals.
The Nittany Lions begin 2024 with five openings from last year’s starting XI.
The departure of Pete Mangione up front will be vital. The forward accounted for nearly 25 percent of the Blue & White’s scoring last season.
Additionally, the exit of goalkeeper Kris Shakes and defender Femi Awodesu will be felt. The duo were a part of a backline that kept opponents to .79 goals per match and seven shutouts.
Penn State returns 14 letterwinners from last season, including Big Ten All-Freshmen honoree Caden Grabfelder. The sophomore is the team’s second leading goal scorer from last season behind Mangione.
The Nittany Lions also welcome 12 newcomers to the squad with six freshmen, five graduate transfers and one junior…
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