Feb. 18, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State redshirt freshman goalkeeper Warren Gross (Greenfield Center, N.Y.) will participate in a U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team domestic training camp in New Orleans from Feb. 19-24. On a roster numbering 23 strong, he is just one of two goalkeepers to receive an invitation from head coach Thomas Rongen.
The team, made up entirely of collegiate players, will gather in New Orleans on Feb. 19 and, after four days of training, will play two games in a four-team event. On Sat., Feb. 23, the U.S. will face the Honduras U-20 Men's National Team, and on Saturday will take on either the New Orleans Shell Shockers, a Premier Development League team, or Club Deportivo Victoria, a youth squad from Honduras. The two Saturday winners will then match up on Sunday.
One of the top youth programs in the world, the U-20s are preparing for the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which will take place in Egypt.
Gross was a member of the 2007 U.S. Pan American Team that traveled to Rio de Janeiro last summer. He helped the Under-18 U.S. Men's National Team claim an opening round 2-1 victory over Venezuela, registering three saves in the win. The only goal Gross allowed was a late score off a penalty kick.
Last season, Gross backed up two-time First Team All-Big Ten netminder Conrad Taylor, a starter of 83 consecutive games, and did not see game action. In 2008, he is expected to vie with redshirt sophomore Liam Fitzwater (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) for the starting goalkeeping job.
A physical presence at 6-3, 200, goalkeeper Warren Gross came to Happy Valley after a distinguished high school and club career. At Saratoga Springs H.S., Gross earned NSCAA First Team All-Region and All-State honors in 2006. For three consecutive seasons (2004-06), he was named Class AA and Section II Goalkeeper of the Year. In 2006, Gross won the Eastern New York U-18 State Cup championship as a member of the New York Kosmos club team.
Head coach Barry Gorman, who is just one win shy of his 250th career win, returns 15 letterwinners and eight starters for the 2008 season. The Nittany Lions begin their Spring schedule on Sat., March 29 when they host Pittsburgh (5 p.m.) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (8 p.m.). The games will be played at Holuba Hall or, weather permitting, at Little Jeffrey Field, the Nittany Lions' practice area adjacent to Jeffrey Field.