Sept. 7, 2010
PENN STATE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 15 Penn State men's soccer team (2-0-0) will kick off its 2010 home schedule this weekend when it welcomes No. 11 Ohio State (2-0-0), Bucknell (1-1-0), and Binghamton (0-2-0) to Jeffrey Field for the 14th annual Penn State Classic.
On the opening day of play, Fri., Sept. 10, Ohio State will first face Binghamton (5 p.m.) followed by Penn State taking on regional rival Bucknell (7:30 p.m.). Day two, 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.
After a championship showing at the Wolstein Classic in Columbus, Ohio last weekend, Penn State is off to its first 2-0 start since the 2000 season. The impressive beginning also pushed Penn State into the NSCAA coaches' poll for the first this year, debuting at No. 15, after receiving votes in the preseason rankings. In the 2010 opener on Sept. 4, the Nittany Lions routed Buffalo, 5-0, getting two goals from junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) and one each from Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.), Rafael Faria (Miami, Fla.), and John Gallagher (Pine Bush, N.Y.). In the tournament finale on Sept. 6, Hertzog notched his second game winner in as many contests, scoring in the 88th minute to lift Penn State to the thrilling 1-0 victory over the College of Charleston.
The Nittany Lion defense has been stout early on, recording two shutouts. Redshirt junior Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) played all 180 minutes in goal, recording a total of four saves en route to earning the 11th and 12th clean sheets of his career. The back line of Andres Casais, Mark Fetrow (West Chester, Pa.), Matt Smallwood (Cochranville, Pa.), and Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) limited opponents to a combined seven shots at the Wolstein Classic.
For his standout performance in the season's opening weekend, Corey Hertzog was named MVP of the Wolstein Classic, to the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week, and as Philly Soccer News Player of the Week. Senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), who tallied four assists in the first two games, Drew Cost, and senior defender Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela) were named to the Wolstein Classic All-Tournament Team.
Bucknell entered 2010 as the overwhelming favorite to repeat as Patriot League champions, receiving the maximum 14-first place votes in the conference's preseason poll. The Bison dropped its season opener in overtime, falling to Villanova at home, 2-1, but rebounded with a 3-1 road victory over La Salle. Senior midfielders Ross Liberati (2 goals, 1 assist) and Tommy McCabe (3 assists) have emerged early on as Bucknell's top offensive threats. Sophomore midfielder CK Kumah and sophomore forward Brendan Burgdorf are coming off impressive rookie seasons in which they combined for 13 goals and five assists. The BU defense returns three starters from last year in back line mates Travis Rand, Andrew Powell, and Jermaine Jarrett in addition to goalkeeper Tommy Caso, a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in 2009.
The rivalry with Bucknell is one of Penn State's longest running, dating back to 1930, and its most successful, totaling 58 wins against just seven losses and three ties. The Lions downed the Bison, 2-1, a year ago in Lewisburg, using a Bucknell own goal and a tally from Corey Hertzog to gain the road win.
Binghamton, voted to place fifth in the America East Conference's preseason coaches' poll, is off to a 0-2 start to the season, falling to a pair of ranked opponents in No. 23 UNC Wilmington, 1-0, and No. 15 Monmouth, 2-0, at host West Virginia's Save Face WVU Classic. The Bearcats feature a trio of 2009 second-team all-conference performers in senior Scott Zobre, junior Ryan Walter, and sophomore Jake Keegan, who combined for 10 goals and nine assists last season. On defense, Binghamton is young at the goalkeeper position, as starter Anthony Sokalski is a true freshman.
Penn State has never faced Binghamton in the 100-year history of the Nittany Lion program in the regular season but the two opponents squared off in an exhibition game in 2009, battling to a 0-0 tie. Penn State is 4-1-1 all-time against the America East Conference, having faced Vermont (1-0-0), Boston University (0-1-1), Hartford (1-0-0), and New Hampshire (2-0-0).
Defending Big Ten regular season and tournament champion Ohio State, led by 14-year head coach John Bluem, enters play at the Penn State Classic touting consecutive shutout wins over the College of Charleston and Buffalo at its annual home tournament, the Wolstein Classic. Among the Buckeyes' eight returning starters are four of their top scorers in 2009, including senior forward Konrad Warzycha, who scored on two penalty kicks to lead OSU to its win over Buffalo, and sophomore forward Chris Hegngi, who netted the game winner against C of C. Sophomore goalkeeper Matt Lampson, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, and junior defender David Tiemstra headline the Ohio State defense.
Fans can follow all of the Nittany Lion men's soccer action at the Penn State Classic on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates from GameTracker or 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 on Twitter. Go to twitter.com and search psusportsjr to become a follower.
The Nittany Lions will return to the road next weekend, traveling west for a pair of contests in the state of Colorado. On Fri., Sept. 17, Penn State will take on Air Force in a 9 p.m. ET match-up on the academy grounds in Colorado Springs. The Nittany Lions played the Falcons to a 0-0 tie in the teams' only other meeting in 1989. Penn State will then trek to the capitol of the Centennial State to clash with Denver on Sun., Sept. 19 (3 p.m. ET) for the first time in program history.