Feb. 18, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer program has released its 2009 spring schedule, revealing five dates that feature match-ups with four NCAA Division I opponents and one local professional squad. The Nittany Lions will play the entirety of their games in University Park at the team's state-of-the-art practice facility located adjacent to Jeffrey Field.
Penn State will begin its 2010 spring season on Tues., March 30 when it hosts the Harrisburg City Islanders, a professional team from the United Soccer League's Second Division, in a 7 p.m. scrimmage. Returning to Penn State with Harrisburg will be former Nittany Lion defender Anthony Calvano, a letterwinner from 2002-04. A member of the City Islanders since 2005, he helped the franchise win a league championship in 2007.
The spring schedule continues on Sat., April 10 when Villanova makes the trip west from Philadelphia for a 4 p.m. game. The Wildcats went 9-8-2 in 2009, including a 5-5-1 record in BIG EAST play, finishing in fourth place in the conference's red division.
Just three days later, on Tues., April 13, regional rival Bucknell will visit for a 7 p.m. contest. A year ago, the Nittany Lions, on the strength of an own goal and a game winner from Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.), downed the Bison, 2-1, in Lewisburg. Bucknell will return to University Park in the regular season to take part in the annual Penn State Classic in early September.
The following weekend, the Nittany Lions will host Pittsburgh, the second of three BIG EAST foes on the spring schedule, on Sat., April 17 (4 p.m.). The Panthers struggled in 2009, going 2-13-2.
Another homecoming will take place in the final weekend of the spring season, as former Penn State player and assistant coach Marlon LeBlanc returns to Happy Valley at the helm of the West Virginia program. The Nittany Lions and Mountaineers will meet on Blue White Weekend, taking the field on Sat., April 24 for a noon scrimmage. West Virginia posted a 7-5-6 record in 2009, including a 6-3-2 mark in BIG EAST play.
The 2010 season will be a special one for the Penn State men's soccer program, as it will mark its 100th year of existence with a season-long celebration. Beginning this spring and culminating in the fall with a weekend of events including a reunion reception, a Nittany Lion game, and a banquet, the celebration will acknowledge the program's proud and distinguished tradition and history. Information, announcements, and any updates will be posted to the GoPSUsports.com website as they are solidified and become available. In 2010, Penn State will also serve as hosts of the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 11-14) for the third time since joining the conference in 1991.
Head coach Barry Gorman returns 17 letterwinners and nine starters, including four All-Big Ten performers and 2009 team leaders in goals and assists, from a squad that won 12 games, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game, and earned a berth in the NCAA Championship last season.