Aug. 11, 2008
After consecutive years in which a plague of injuries to key players has prevented Penn State from fulfilling its promise, the Nittany Lions enter the 2008 season looking to put the past behind them and restore the program to elite status within the Big Ten and nationally. Head coach Barry Gorman returns a core group of veterans that includes eight starters and 14 letterwinners for his 21st season at Penn State. Younger players will also play a deciding role in the team's fortunes, as 16 of the 27 players on the roster are underclassmen.
Despite the fact that First Team All-Big Ten forward Jason Yeisley and starting defender Andy Parr will miss the 2008 campaign while rehabbing knee injuries suffered last year, confidence is high and wills are steeled to make 2008 the year that Penn State returns to the pinnacle of collegiate soccer.
"I am very optimistic about 2008," said Gorman, who enters the year just one win shy of his 250th at Penn State. "Looking at this season, at this year's squad, and the depth and the cover that we have, we are anticipating a good year. Obviously, we will be without Jason Yeisley and Andy Parr and they are two important players we have to replace. From a coverage point of view, we feel we have taken care of a lot of gaps. From an offensive perspective, we have gone out and deliberately recruited offensive-minded players. There will be stiff competition for places and that will be healthy for the squad. Overall, we are looking forward to 2008 with anticipation."
SENIORS
The senior class, made up of Ryan Badaracco, Andy Machi, and Barkley Miller, is small in numbers but large on character, heart, and potential.
Ryan Badaracco |
Ryan Badaracco missed the entire 2007 season with a knee injury but is back at full strength and is determined to make up for lost time with a standout final season. His effort, energy, and leadership provide Gorman with a valued presence on and off the field.
"It will be a real plus to have Ryan back. His work ethic is truly unbelievable. A great individual, Ryan is the kind of player that you don't realize how important he is until you don't have him."
Andy Machi enjoyed his finest season as Nittany Lion in 2007, emerging as one of the team's most consistent forces. His worth lies in his versatility, as he has the ability to effectively fulfill a variety of roles.
"Andy came through tremendously well for us last year," Gorman said. "I am so pleased for him because he works so hard. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and he bleeds blue and white. His never-say-die attitude is a great foundation for us to build on."
Barkley Miller heads into his senior season aiming to turn promise into production. Armed with a powerful left foot that any coach would covet for his arsenal, he has flashed big-time ability in spots over the last three years. Gorman feels that if he can remain focused and be consistent, Miller could post the best numbers of his career.
"Barkley is still looking for that breakout year and everyone is hoping this will be it. We offered him direction and some incentives this spring, so it is up to him. No one disputes his talent. He just needs to decide he wants to play every minute of every game and influence matches."
NEWCOMERS
The 2008 group of newcomers to the Penn State program includes nine recruits and the addition of one transfer. Joining the Nittany Lions is a class comprised of four midfielders, three forwards, two defenders, and one goalkeeper. Seven of the newcomers are regional products, hailing either from Pennsylvania, New York, or Maryland.
"Overall, I am very pleased," Gorman said. "It's a group that is well balanced and fills needs. Every one of them pleases me in different respects. I am excited to see a lot of them play and to see if they can make they step to the next level. They are all athletic, talented, and good players. I think some of them will make an immediate impact while others will contribute off the bench. I don't believe any of them will need long-term grooming."
FORWARDS
With top scorer Jason Yeisley likely on the shelf for the entire 2008 season, a fierce battle will be fought among a group of talented contenders for starting spots and for playing time.
"It's going to be lion-eat-lion competition," Gorman said. "We don't believe in telling players that they are competing against one another, so it will be healthy competition for a starting spot. I think there are a few players who could have breakout years and a few, with maturity and development, could really come on for us. There are quite a few offensive types in the mix, so it gives us some permutations in regards to line-ups and formations."
Two players Gorman is counting on to step up and power the attack are sophomore Treavor Gelsinger and junior Jacobo Vera. In his freshman campaign, Gelsinger finished second on the team in points with 12 and lead the Nittany Lions with six assists. Physical and strong, he excels at keeping the ball and playing with his back to the goal, "the best at it I have seen in the college game in a long time," according to his coach. Vera netted four goals in 2007, the second highest on the team behind only Yeisley. At 6-0, 187 lbs., he is also blessed with good size and should be a force with which to be reckoned.
Junior Vincent Salvatico will also have every opportunity to emerge as a starter in 2008. A super sub, he totaled eight points a year ago and tied for the team lead in game-winning goals.
"Vincent should have a breakout year," said Gorman. "He is right there on the cusp of things, but he must realize how to take full advantage of his strengths. He possesses speed and has the ability to cross a ball accurately if he stays focused."
Tough as nails and fearless on the pitch, sophomore John Gray used his tremendous work ethic to make huge strides in the offseason and position himself for more playing time in 2008.
A trio of incoming players, freshmen Corey Hertzog and Patrick Krispin and sophomore transfer Dennis Sellis, will also challenge for minutes based on their ability to put the ball in the net. Hertzog totaled 107 goals during his high school career while Krispin is from the athlete-rich area of The Woodlands, Texas. Sellis is the team wild card. As a freshman at Western Wyoming Community College, he led the junior college ranks nationally with 79 points (34 goals,11 assists). If his game effectively translates to the Division I level, Penn State will have struck gold out west.
MIDFIELDERS
Led by 33-game career starter Ryan Badaracco, "the midfield is as talented as we have had here in a while," according to Gorman.
Senior Andy Machi, a veteran of 38 games, will employ his no-quit, die hard attitude and approach to make an impact as a defensive midfielder. Freshman Matt Smallwood, who gained valuable experience by enrolling in the spring, will fulfill a similar role.
Attacking midfielders sophomore Drew Cost and junior Frank Costigliola will be key to Penn State's transition game and will be relied on for points. Both have good control, can get forward, and score goals. Cost, a unanimous All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection in 2007, came on strong at the end of the season a year ago, tallying two goals and three assists. Costigliola, a lightning quick and fiery competitor, had his best season in 2007, totaling three goals and three assists.
Newcomer Matheus Braga is a player to watch. A Brazilian with junior eligibility, he is an exciting midfielder with a shooter's mentality. Freshman MacKenzie Arment will provide the team with quality depth and another option in the midfield.
DEFENDERS
"This is the area where we need to plug holes with the graduation of Geordie MacNeill, Stephen Reihner, and Grady Renfrow," said Gorman. "It's tough to replace seniors, especially ones who have played a lot. Having said that, we have a good nucleus returning who will vie for playing time."
Headlining the Penn State defense in 2008 will be sophomore Andres Casais. Despite earning All-Big Ten Freshman team recognition last season, Casais is one of the best-kept secrets in the conference and in the nation. If he has the standout season he is capable of in 2008, that will no longer be the case. Juniors Diego Correa and Bobby Bohlen and sophomore Casey Derkacz benefited from significant playing time last season and will look to build on that in 2008.
Freshmen Justin Lee, whom Gorman describes as an "exceptional talent," and Mark Fetrow, a strong and rangy central defender, will push for not only playing time but starts on the back line.
GOALKEEPERS
In 2008, for the first time in four years, 83 games, and 7,976 minutes someone other than Conrad Taylor will man the net for the Nittany Lions. The program's first-ever two-time First Team All-Big Ten goalkeeper leaves a large void to be filled, but returnees Liam Fitzwater and Warren Gross are capable heir apparents and will wage a pitched battle throughout the preseason for the starting spot.
Fitzwater, a redshirt sophomore, has yet to see regular season game action, but he has been the beneficiary of two years of tutelage by both Taylor and the Penn State coaching staff.
"We are pleased with Liam," said Gorman. "He has worked exceptionally hard. This could be his time. He has to fend off the challenge of Warren Gross and make the job his own. Everything is there for him."
Gross, a redshirt freshman, has gained valuable playing experience the last two years by competing on the U-18 and U-20 U.S. National Teams.
"Warren got off to slow start in the spring and had an injury that kept him back a bit, but he is determined and ready to turn it around. His experience with the national team will be a plus in his favor but he has still yet to play any collegiate soccer. He has to prove that he is the man for the job."
SCHEDULE
In store for Penn State in 2008 is a formidable schedule that features match-ups with six teams that earned bids to the NCAA postseason a year ago, including four from the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions will also face three opponents, Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, and Saint Mary's, for the first time in program history. The Penn State Classic (Sept. 5-7) brings Conference USA power Tulsa and regional rival Bucknell to Happy Valley and will be one of many highlights of the 2008 home schedule.
Other non-conference contests with Ivy League foes Cornell and Pennsylvania, 2007 MAC champion Akron, in-state opponents Saint Francis and Lehigh, and traditional forces James Madison and San Francisco will provide stern challenges for Penn State. The ultra-competitive Big Ten will be the ultimate proving grounds for the Nittany Lions in 2008 and should they navigate the schedule successfully, the prize of a coveted NCAA berth will likely be theirs.
"The schedule, as usual, is challenging. There are some great games scheduled for fans to see at Jeffrey Field. While there is no one on the schedule that we fear, we certainly respect the quality of the opponents we will play this year. We are approaching the season with the mindset that we can win every game and make a serious run at qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. But, on paper, it all means nothing. We must produce where it matters most, on the field. Being Penn State, everyone wants to beat us and we have to be up for every game."