Aug. 10, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State soccer fans will have the opportunity to meet the 2007 editions of the Nittany Lion men's and women's squads when they host "Meet the Team Night" on Fri., Aug. 17. Weather permitting, the event is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. at the practice area east of the home of Nittany Lion soccer, Jeffrey Field. Admission is free.
Fans will be able interact with the players and coaches, obtain autographs, and take photos as well as tour the Jeffrey Field bleachers and pick up team schedules for the 2007 season.
First-year head coach Erica Walsh has taken over the nine-time defending Big Ten champion women's program and will get back 19 letterwinners and seven starters from a 2006 squad that went 18-5-3, won a fourth conference tournament title, and advanced to an eighth NCAA quarterfinal appearance. Included in that group of returnees is 2007 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy candidates junior midfielder Sheree Gray (Toms River, N.J.) and senior defender Denay Riley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) along with First Team All-Big Ten honoree senior forward Aubrey Aden-Buie (Allentown, Pa.).
The Penn State women's soccer team starts the 2007 season with an exhibition game versus Delaware at Jeffrey Field on Sat., Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. The Nittany Lions begin regular season play at home on Fri., Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. against James Madison as part of the annual Penn State Invitational. The Nittany Lions then meet Texas A&M on Sun., Sept. 16, to close out Invitational action at 1 p.m.
Head coach Barry Gorman, entering his 20th season at the helm of the Penn State men's program, welcomes back 14 letterwinners and seven starters for the 2007 season. Senior goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.), a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, will headline the defense while junior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.), Penn State's leading returning scorer with 27 career points, will spearhead the attack.
The Penn State men's soccer team begins preseason play on Mon., Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. when it faces Georgetown at Jeffrey Field. Home exhibition action continues on Sat., Aug. 25, as the Nittany Lions are scheduled to take on Saint Francis (Pa.) at 7 p.m. Regular season play at Jeffrey Field kicks off on Fri., Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. when PSU hosts William & Mary in a first round contest of the Penn State Classic.