Oct. 18, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State will host its final non-conference opponent of the 2010 season on Wednesday night when it welcomes UMBC (6-4-2) to Jeffrey Field for a 7 p.m. game. The Nittany Lions own a 7-2-0 record versus out of conference foes this year, including a 3-1 mark at home.
Penn State is coming off a difficult week that featured a heart-wrenching and controversial double overtime loss to No. 1 Akron followed by a 600-mile road trip to Illinois resulting in a 1-1 draw with Northwestern. Junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.) scored both of the Lions' goals last week, including one against Akron, just the third goal the Zips have allowed this season. For his efforts, the nation's leader in goals (13) and points (30) was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career.
UMBC had a four-game unbeaten streak snapped in its last outing, falling to conference foe Boston University, 2-0, at home in front of a record crowd of 2,781. With a 1-1-2 record, the Retrievers are tied for fourth place in the America East Conference.
Like Penn State, UMBC boasts its respective conference leader in six of the major offensive statistical categories. Senior forward Levi Houapeu tops the America East in goals (9), goals per game (0.75), points (21), and points per game (1.75) while junior forward Andrew Bulls ranks No. 1 in the league in assists (10) and assists per game (0.83). Freshman Pete Caringi, son of the coach of the Retrievers of the same name, has also been a factor on the attack, contributing six goals and two assists.
The UMBC defense has allowed 20 goals, 13 of which it has surrendered in road games. Junior goalkeeper Dan Louisignau, a transfer from Virginia, has started the last five games, compiling a 3-1-2 record and a 1.24 goals against average.
Penn State has never faced the UMBC, which has been playing Division I soccer since 1986, in the history of the program. However, the Nittany Lions are 6-1-2 all-time versus America East Conference opponents, including a 4-3 win over Binghamton earlier this year and a 1-0 double overtime victory against Hartford at the 2009 Penn State Classic.
Fans can follow all of the action of the Penn State-UMBC match on the Internet with live stats and instant scoring updates from GameTracker or with a live video webcast on BigTenNetwork.com. A replay of the non-conference contest between the Nittany Lions and the Retrievers will air on the Big Ten Network on Thurs., Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.
The Nittany Lions will finish out their final home stand of the 2010 regular season on Sat., Oct. 23 when they host conference rival No. 16 Ohio State (7-4-2, 2-1-0) at 3 p.m. in a rematch of the 2009 Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the match on tape delay basis, with the re-air scheduled for Sun., Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
In addition to the pivotal match-up between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes, the weekend promises to be special for other significant reasons. Penn State soccer alums, friends, and family will gather to honor and commemorate the program's 100-year anniversary. Alumni in attendance will be honored in a ceremony at halftime of the game. In addition, Saturday will be Senior Day. Following the game, seniors Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela), Drew Cost, Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.), and Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) will be recognized for their contributions to the program.
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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