Oct. 12, 2010
Penn State-Akron Game Notes | | Watch
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State will finish out a three-game home stand on Wednesday evening when it clashes with 2009 College Cup finalist and No. 1-ranked Akron (9-0-1) in a marquee match-up set for 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. Admission to the game and to all home Nittany Lion men's soccer games is free.
Last weekend, Penn State (8-3-0) secured its first Big Ten win of the season, overcoming a first half deficit to knock off No. 18 Michigan State, 2-1, in a thriller at Jeffrey Field. Junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) scored his Big Ten-best 11th goal and conference-leading fifth game winner of the season in the 85th minute to cap off the Nittany Lion rally. Senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) ignited the comeback, netting his third goal of the season earlier in the second half, and also contributed an assist on Hertzog's goal, his 11th of the year. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brendan Birmingham (West Chester, Pa.) played all 90 minutes in net, upping his season and career record to 3-0.
With 11 regular season games in the books, the Penn State offense continues to be the Big Ten's best and rank among the nation's elite. As a team, the Nittany Lions are No. 1 in the conference in points (87), goals (27), goals per game (2.45), assists (33), and assists per game (3.00). Hertzog, a candidate for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, equaled his career season best goal total with seven games remaining when he netted his 11th versus the Spartans. He leads the conference in five of the seven major offensive statistical categories. What stat lead Hertzog doesn't own, teammate Matheus Braga does. He tops the Big Ten in assists (11) and assists per game (1.00). Hertzog and Braga are not Penn State's only scoring options, though, as 14 different Nittany Lions, 56 percent of its roster, have registered at least one point this season. Nine players have scored goals, seven of which have two or more, while 11 have notched at least one assist.
While the Penn State offense has fueled much of the team's success this season, a recent resurgence by the defense helped the Lions post a 2-0 record last week. Senior defender Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career for his standout performance in a 1-0 win over Villanova and the upset of Michigan State.
Boasting the NCAA's best winning percentage since 2005 (.838) with an overall record of 95-13-13, Akron has firmly established itself as the nation's premier powerhouse program. Led by 2009 NSCAA Coach of the Year Caleb Porter, a former standout player at Indiana, the Zips, which are unbeaten in 20 consecutive regular season road games, have been nearly untouchable this season. In 10 games, Akron has not only defeated but shutout nine of its opponents, with a 2-2 tie to Ohio State on Sept. 29 serving as the lone blemish on an otherwise perfect season to-date.
The prolific Akron offense features an abundance of dangerous weapons. Senior midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong (2g, 4a), a two-time NSCAA All-American and one of three Hermann Trophy candidates on the team, is the centerpiece of the Zips' attack. Freshman forward Darren Mattocks leads Akron in goals (7) and points (16) while Darlington Nagbe and Michael Nanchoff rank first in assists with five each. Junior defender Kofi Sarkodie (4g, 2a) and freshman midfielder Perry Kitchen (4g, 1a) have also been consistent contributors on offense. Sophomore goalkeeper David Meves leads the nation in goals against average (0.21) and save percentage (.920). He has recorded shutouts in 25 of his 35 career games.
Penn State owns a 13-12-5 record in its all-time series versus Akron but has gone winless in its last five meetings with the Zips, including last season's 3-0 road loss. The Nittany Lions last defeated Akron in 2004, a 4-0 decision at Jeffrey Field, but has earned ties in 2006 (0-0 at Akron) and 2008 (1-1 in University Park) since that victory.
Fans can follow all of the action of the Penn State-Akron match on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates from GameTracker or with a live video webcast on BigTenNetwork.com. Find links on the official website of Nittany Lion athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com.
The Nittany Lions return to Big Ten play and to the road this weekend, traveling to Evanston, Ill. to clash with Northwestern (6-4-1, 1-1-0) on Sun., Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. ET at Lakeside Field. The Nittany Lions have dominated the series with the Wildcats, winning 21 of 26 games. In 2009, PSU drew with the No. 21 Wildcats, 1-1, in Happy Valley. Later next week, Penn State will face UMBC (5-3-2) for the first time in program history on Wed., Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.
#####
PENN STATE TO HOST 2010 BIG TEN MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
From November 11-14, Penn State will host the 2010 Big Ten Tournament at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions have hosted the annual conference postseason event on three occasions, with the last coming in 2002. Call 814-865-5555 (Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) to order tickets or download a ticket order form