Sept. 2, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's soccer team will open the 2010 regular season, officially usher in the Bob Warming era, and kick off the program's 100th year of play this weekend when the Nittany Lions travel to Columbus, Ohio for the annual Bert & Iris Wolstein Classic, as hosted by The Ohio State University.
Penn State's quest for a second straight NCAA Championship berth begins on Fri., Sept. 3 when it takes on Buffalo (0-0-0) in a 5 p.m. contest. The Lions will finish out tournament play against the College of Charleston (0-0-0) on Sun., Sept. 5 at noon. All games will be played at the home of the Buckeyes, Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The Nittany Lions finished the 2010 preseason with a undefeated 2-0 record after beating No. 20 Louisville, 2-1, last weekend at the National Soccer Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind. Junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) accounted for both PSU goals with freshman forward Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) tallying two assists and junior midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.) recording one.
In week one of the preseason, Penn State topped Hartwick, 3-1, at Jeffrey Field, getting goals from Tyler, sophomore forward Rafa Faria (Miami, Fla.), and senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Hertzog led the team in the preseason with five points while Tyler totaled four. Arment recorded an assist in each game.
Buffalo, which posted a 7-9-1 record and finished sixth in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2009, was selected to place fifth in the 2010 MAC preseason coaches' poll. Bulls head coach John Astudillo, a 22-year veteran, returns three of his top four scorers for the 2010 campaign, including goals scored and points leader Mike Unwin. The senior forward registered nine goals and 19 points a year ago, earning first team all-conference honors. Also back to bolster the offense is junior Lucas Bassan (4g, 1a) and senior Rich Wilson (3g). Junior goalkeeper Mike Fetterman, a 13-game starter in 2009, senior Casey Derkacz, a Penn State transfer, and sophomore Akil Howard will anchor the Buffalo defense.
Penn State's battle with the College of Charleston will pit Bob Warming, the sixth winningest active Division I coach, against the man ranked one spot above him on that prestigious list, Cougars head coach Ralph Lundy. In 36 years, including 25 at the College of Charleston, Lundy has compiled 395 victories.
The College of Charleston was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference in 2010 by the league's coaches. Senior forward Kareem Yearwood, who scored two goals in an injury-shortened 2009 season, and senior defender Sean Flatley, a 20-game starter and three-goal scorer from a year ago, were named to the preseason all-conference team. In all, the Cougars return seven starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad that went 11-10-0 overall and 5-2-0 in the Southern Conference.
Penn State possesses 2-0 records in its all-time series with both Buffalo and the College of Charleston. The Nittany Lions have yet to allow a goal in match-ups with Buffalo, defeating the Bulls at home, 3-0, in 2006 and, 1-0, in the 1993 season opener. Penn State knocked off the College of Charleston in consecutive years, downing the Cougars, 2-1, in 1999 on the road in the Palmetto State and, 2-1, the following year in Happy Valley at the 2000 Penn State Nike Classic.
Fans can follow all of the Penn State men's soccer action at the Wolstein Classic on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates. Find a link on the official website of Nittany Lion athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com.
The Nittany Lions begin their 2010 home schedule next weekend by welcoming 2009 Big Ten title winner Ohio State, defending Patriot League champion Bucknell, and Binghamton to Jeffrey Field for the annual Penn State Classic. On the first day of play, Fri., Sept. 10, Ohio State will take on Binghamton (5 p.m.) to be followed by Penn State facing Bucknell (7:30 p.m.). Day two action, scheduled for Sun., Sept. 12, will pit Ohio State versus Bucknell (noon) and Penn State against Binghamton (2:30 p.m.). Admission to the Penn State Classic and to all home men's soccer games is free.