Sept. 8, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As a result of its successful start to the 2010 season, the Penn State men's soccer team has captured the attention of collegiate soccer media outlets while junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) has been recognized with several individual awards.
After claiming the Wolstein Classic title last weekend by virtue of a 5-0 rout of Buffalo and 1-0 victory over the College of Charleston, Penn State has experienced a rapid rise in the national polls. The Nittany Lions went from receiving votes in the NSCAA preseason coaches' poll to the No. 15 spot and are ranked No. 3 in the Great Lakes region, behind only No. 1 Akron and Louisville, a team they defeated 2-1 in the preseason. Penn State has also ascended from No. 17 to No. 10 in the Soccer America Top 25 and from No. 16 to No.10 in the College Soccer News National Poll.
Corey Hertzog has also garnered national acclaim for his red hot start to the 2010 campaign. The 2009 Second Team All-Big Ten selection scored three goals, including two game winners, in leading Penn State to the tournament title at the Wolstein Classic. For his standout performance, Hertzog was named the Philly Soccer News Player of the Week and honored on the College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com Teams of the Week.
The No. 15 Nittany Lions will kick off their 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.