Nov. 3, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Warren Gross (Greenfield Center, N.Y.) was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for standout performances in Penn State's 1-1 tie with No. 2 Akron and 1-0 upset win over No. 17 Indiana. Gross shares the first conference honor of his career with Michigan State goalkeeper Avery Steinlage.
Nationally, Gross was the lone goalkeeper recognized on Soccer America's Team of the Week.
"Warren has come up big for us when it was needed," said Penn State head coach Barry Gorman. "Knowing his competitive spirit, I expect Warren to finish out the year strongly and show everyone why he was a former US National 18 and under team goalkeeper."
In just his third career start, Gross was unfazed by the challenge of facing second-ranked Akron's high-powered offense. Against a Zips attack which had averaged over three goals a game during a 10-game unbeaten streak, Gross allowed just one. He also recorded critical six saves, including two diving saves on back-to-back up close shots in the second half, and thwarted several other Akron scoring chances with his aggressive play.
Versus Big Ten rival Indiana, Gross anchored a defense that rendered the Hoosier attack punchless for 90 minutes. He registered three saves, highlighted by a tremendous stop of a potential game-tying header late in the game. The win was Penn State's fourth in its last six meetings with Indiana.
Gross owns a 1-2-1 record as a starter and leads the team in goals against average (1.42).
The Nittany Lions will finish out regular season and Big Ten play next weekend when they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on No. 18 Michigan (11-4-2, 3-1-1 Big Ten) in a 2 p.m. game on Sat., Nov. 8 at the U-M Soccer Complex. Penn State is 7-2-1 all-time versus the Wolverines, including last season's 2-1 victory at Jeffrey Field. The postseason will kickoff the following weekend when the Lions begin pursuit of their fourth conference crown at the 2008 Big Ten Championship. To be hosted by the University of Wisconsin, the tournament is scheduled for Nov. 13-16 at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison.