Oct. 13, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Freshman forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his two-goal performance in Penn State's come-from-behind 3-2 upset win over 2007 College Cup finalists No. 17 Ohio State. Hertzog was also honored nationally on TopDrawerSoccer.com and Soccer America Men's Team of the Week.
"Corey is a proven goal scorer," said Penn State head coach Barry Gorman. "It was only a matter of time before he got off the mark. Like all forwards, his confidence will soar when he finds the back of the net."
Down 2-1 late in the first half, Hertzog pulled Penn State even with the first goal of his collegiate career. From the near wing, defender Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.) spotted an open Hertzog and served a perfect pass into the box. Hertzog got his head on the pass and flicked it in from 10 yards out.
Hertzog notched the would-be game winner just two minutes later when he found space near the top of the box and fired a one-timer that slipped through the arms of the Ohio State goalkeeper and into net.
In the second half, Hertzog nearly completed the hat trick but his looping shot on an open goal with 13 minutes remaining in the game glanced off the post.
Hertzog is tied for the team lead in assists (2), points (6), and shots on goal (10) and ranks second in goals (2) and shots (27). He has seen action in all 12 games this season, earning five starts.
The Nittany Lions kick off a three-game road swing this week when they travel to Ithaca, N.Y. to take on Cornell (1-7-0, 0-1-0 Ivy League) on Wed., Oct. 15 in a 7 p.m. contest at Charles F. Berman Field. Penn State owns a 9-2-3 all-time record in games versus Cornell, including last season's 2-1 win at Jeffrey Field. The Lions' road stretch then continues with games at Lehigh (Oct. 21, 7 p.m.) and Wisconsin (Oct. 26, 1:30 p.m.).