Aug. 9, 2012
UNIVERSITY Park, Pa. - Penn State opened its fall training camp Aug. 9 to begin preparations for the 2012 season, head coach Bob Warming's third at the helm of the program. Led by a large upperclassman group of 10 seniors and six juniors, the Nittany Lions first week will consist of two-a-days before taking on Hartwick in their preseason-opening exhibition Aug. 13.
Warming's squad returns 13 letterwinners and seven starters from last season's team that advanced to the Big Ten tournament title game for the third-consecutive year, broke the Penn State record for shutouts in a season and led the conference in goals allowed and goals against average.
Among the returnees are the team's top three scorers in Minh Vu (Tucson, Ariz.), the 2011 Big Ten Tournament Offensive MVP, Julian Cardona (Lincoln, Neb.) and Hasani Sinclair (Coral Gables, Fla.), along with the anchor of the 2011 PSU defense, goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton (Snellville, Ga.). The Nittany Lion roster has been bolstered by a talented group of newcomers, which includes seven freshmen and five transfers.
Other key returners from the upperclassman group include Jacob Barron (La Mirada, Calif.) and Jordan Tyler (Rochester, Mich.), who both played in each contest in 2011.
The program welcomes 12 newcomers this season, including seven freshmen and five transfers, spread across the field. The group consists of four backs, four midfielders, three forwards and goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin (Cormontreuil, France).
The Nittany Lions begin the regular season Aug. 25 against Stetson in the first of a three-game homestand at Jeffrey Field. Penn State faces Hartford Aug. 27 and Duquesne Aug. 31 before hitting the road for a contest at Georgetown Sept. 2. Penn State will host 11 regular-season matches, including conference tilts against Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State.