Aug. 1, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Incoming Penn State men's soccer player Kyle MacDonald (Yardley, Pa.) scored the game winner to lead his club team, YMS Thunder, to the U18B national crown at the 2011 U.S Youth Soccer National Championships held in Tucson, Ariz. last weekend.
MacDonald netted the title-clinching goal, his third score of the tournament, with just one minute remaining in the match to lift YMS Thunder over the Alpharetta (Ga.) Ambush 93 Red, 1-0. However, soon after giving YMS the lead and with just 40 seconds remaining in the game, MacDonald suffered an injury and had to leave the field. Nevertheless, MacDonald was honored as MVP of the championships for his standout play.
Last year, MacDonald helped YMS Thunder earn a national No. 2 ranking by GotSoccer.com. He was also part of an EPYSA State Cup National Championship series title in 2010 after qualifying as a finalist in 2007 and 2009. MacDonald and his team finished second in the Region I Premier League and was a finalist at the Disney Soccer Showcase in 2010.
A four-year starter at Pennsbury H.S., he led the Falcons to 63 victories, two Suburban One League National titles (2008, 2009), and to the PIAA AAA State quarterfinals (2010). In his senior year, he recorded eight goals and 12 assists, earning ESPN Rise Top 40 Players in Pennsylvania, First Team All-Suburban One League National, and Bucks County Courier Times All-Golden First Team recognition.
The Penn State men's soccer team reports for training camp on Wed., Aug. 10, with its first practice set for the following morning. The Nittany Lions begin their preseason schedule on Tues., Aug. 16 when they host Hartwick in an exhibition contest set for 7:30 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.