Sept. 12, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Nittany Lion men's soccer players Andrew Wolverton (Snellville, Ga.) and Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.) have been recognized with weekly honors for their standout performances in No. 19 Penn State's 3-0 victory over Saint Peter's last weekend. Wolverton, a freshman goalkeeper, was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week while Tyler, a sophomore forward, was honored on the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week.
Wolverton earned his conference-high fourth shutout of the season, holding the defending MAAC champion Peacocks off the scoreboard in the Nittany Lions' third consecutive home win. He recorded a total of three saves including two in the second half when a driving rainstorm made for slick conditions.
In his first collegiate season, Wolverton has started each of Penn State's first five games, playing all 450 minutes while compiling a Big Ten-leading 0.60 goals against average.
Tyler played a part in all three of Penn State's goals, posting a total of five points (2 goals, 1 assist). He triggered the game winning goal, earning an assist by heading the ball to teammate Hasani Sinclair (Coral Gables, Fla.) who, in turn, headed the ball into net. Thirteen minutes later, Tyler put PSU up 2-0 with his first goal of the season, smashing in a shot from eight yards out. He then put the finishing touches on the Nittany Lion victory with his second goal of the game, firing into net a low lining shot from 12 yards out from the far wing to the far post in the 75th minute.
Tyler, who entered the season as Penn State's leading returning scorer, currently ranks second on the team and fifth in the Big Ten in points with six.
Penn State continues its home non-conference schedule on Wednesday evening when the Nittany Lions host regional foe Saint Francis (Pa.) (2-2-1) at Jeffrey Field. Game time is 7 p.m. In 2010, Penn State outdueled the Red Flash in University Park in an offensive showdown, setting the Big Ten record for shots in a game (38) en route to a 4-3 victory.
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