Feb. 15, 2010
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -
Complete Release in PDF Format
GAME NOTES
TODAY'S GAME
The Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0, 0-0 CAA) will host the Robert Morris Colonials (0-0) in the 2010 season opener for each team. Last year, RMU downed Penn State in Pittsburgh to open up the 2009 season. The Nittany Lions are coming off two scrimages in Holuba Hall, taking on former ECAC Lacrosse League foe Hobart as well as the Iroquois Nationals. Robert Morris traveled south to scrimmage Duke.
Penn State is coming off a solid 9-5 season that saw the squad end the year ranked No. 16 in the final USILA Coaches Poll. Robert Morris went 9-7 overall, with a superb 8-1 mark at home. The Nittany Lions will be led by a balanced offensive scoring attack, featuring junior Chris Hogan, sophomore Matthew Mackrides, freshman Nick Dolic as well as a slew of talented scorers ready to carry Penn State forward into the new campaign. The Nittany Lion defense will lean on the likes of Matt Bernier, Billy Davis and Kevin Etter while the Penn State midfield and face-off crew will continue to be a balanced and prolific crew. The biggest question for Penn State will be answered on Saturday when head coach Glenn Thiel sends one of three fresh faces onto the field to man the goalie duties. Junior John Nichols and freshmen Dave Baker and Conor Baucum have each made their cases to earn the nod and the Robert Morris game will be the first time in four years someone besides Drew Adams has started in the net for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will trek to South Bend, Ind., next Sunday (Feb. 28), for a non-conference game against Notre Dame. Face-off with the Fighting Irish will take place at 1 p.m.
SCRIMMAGES GIVE GLIMPSES INTO 2010 SEASON
The Penn State Nittany Lion lacrosse team took part in two scrimmages in preperation for the 2010 season. The Nittany Lions hosted Hobart on Feb. 6 in an evenly played game that allowed head coach Glenn Thiel to get every player some playing time. The Nittany Lions got to see if of their three goalies in action, with Dave Baker getting the first half nod and John Nichols and Conor Baucum splitting time in the second half.
The next weekend, the Nittany Lions hosted the Iroquois Nationals in an exhibition on Sunday night. Penn State was impressive in the scrimmage with the Nationals, who were short-handed entering the contest. The Nittany Lions doubled up Iroquois in shots and outscored the visitors in each period. Freshman Nick Dolic tallied five goals in the game while sophomore Matthew Mackrides had four. The Penn State offense was once again balanced while the defense showcased the toughness it will take to have a successful 2010 campaign.
FOLLOW PENN STATE LACROSSE ON FACEBOOK
The Penn State Nittany Lion lacrosse team's coaching staff has a great way for fans to follow the team via the squad's facebook page. The staff will update the page regularly, offering fans with Facebook accounts an inside look at the team from the coach's persepctive! Just go here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penn-State-Lacrosse/261058956645
HEAD COACH Glenn Thiel
Glenn Thiel is in his 33rd season as head coach of the Nittany Lion men's lacrosse team and sports a 234-175 record. He is now 311-211 overall and in his 43rd year overall. He was also head coach at Baltimore College for two years and Virginia for eight seasons where he won two national titles. Thiel is currently second on the list of career wins among active Division I coaches as well. A 1966 PSU graduate, he was the 1966 team captain and won the Pittenger Award as team most valuable senior. Also in `66, he played in the North/South All-Star Classic after scoring 27 goals with six assists.