Aug. 31, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team will kick off the 2009 regular season on Tuesday evening when it hosts regional foe Saint Francis in a 7 p.m. contest at Jeffrey Field. The game will mark the first time that the Nittany Lions have opened a campaign at home since 2001.
The team will also welcome Mason Harvill to Jeffrey Field as the honorary captain for the season opener. He will be introduced with the Nittany Lions and stand with them on the field for the national anthem.
Penn State finished its exhibition schedule with a 0-0-2 mark, after drawing with Duquesne (1-1) and Binghamton (0-0). Sophomore forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) netted the Lions' goal versus Duquesne, scoring off a pass from junior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.). Versus Binghamton, PSU had numerous chances to get on the scoreboard, outshooting the Bearcats 20-6, but could capitalize. The defense was sound, allowing just three shots on goal. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) played all 90 minutes in net in both games, recording a total of four combined saves.
The Nittany Lions enter the 2009 season with high hopes and great expectations based on the team's overall health, depth, and talent. With senior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) back in the fold after missing the 2008 season with a knee injury, along with the rapid development of Corey Hertzog, the attack will have added punch. The midfield is strong with budding stars Drew Cost and Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.), the speedy and crafty Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and veteran leader Frank Costigliola (Dix Hills, N.Y.) headlining the unit. The starting defense, which features three sophomores and one junior, is young but experienced. The group combined for 44 starts in 2008, led by Mark Fetrow (West Chester, Pa.), who started every game and topped the team in minutes played as a freshman.
Saint Francis, which was selected to finish in a tie for eighth in the Northeast Conference in 2009, returns 15 letterwinners and seven starters from last season's 5-11-2 team, including three of its top four scorers in Patrick Fleming (3 goals), Owen Gombami (3 goals), and Kingsley McLeod (2 goals, 1 assist). The trio accounted for more than 50 percent of the Red Flash's offense but overall the attack struggled, netting just 14 goals in 18 games. Junior defender Benjamin Kujawa, who started 12 of 17 games on the back line in 2008, and junior goalkeeper Darius Motazed, a starter of eight games last season (0.94 GAA, 2-5-1 record) will anchor the SFU defense. In its lone preseason contest, Saint Francis tied Pittsburgh, 1-1, getting a late-game equalizer from junior midfielder Tyler Hibbs.
Penn State possesses an unblemished 7-0-0 record in its all-time series with Saint Francis, including last season's 1-0 victory at Jeffrey Field. Then-freshman Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.) netted the game winner, the first goal of his collegiate career. The Nittany Lions have outscored the Red Flash 26-2 in their seven meetings.
Fans can follow all of the action of the Penn State-Saint Francis contest on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates from Gametracker with a live audio and video webcast. Find links on the official website of Nittany Lion athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com. Penn State men's soccer supporters can also keep up-to-date on the team throughout the season with exclusive notes, information, and photos by way of Twitter. Go to twitter.com and search psusportsjr to become a follower.
Penn State will see its first road action of the 2009 season this weekend when it makes the annual trek to Columbus, Ohio for the Bert & Iris Wolstein Soccer Classic, as hosted by The Ohio State University. The Nittany Lions will first meet Cal State Fullerton in a match-up scheduled for 5 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 4 at the home of the Buckeyes, Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Penn State will conclude tournament play on Sun., Sept. 6 with a 12 p.m. contest against Gonzaga.