Aug 14, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 4 Penn State women's soccer team will host its first contest of the season on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in an exhibition against Navy at Jeffrey Field. Admission and parking for all Penn State soccer games is free.
The Nittany Lions return 8-of-11 starters from last season's national runner-up squad, including MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.), Big Ten Defender of the Year Whitney Church (Ashburn, Va.), Big Ten Freshman of the Year Raquel Rodriguez (San Jose, Costa Rica), Emily Hurd (Sammamish, Wash.), Taylor Schram (Canonsburg, Pa.), Bri Hovington (Lothian Md.), Kori Chapic (Novelty, Ohio) and Mallory Weber (Novi, Mich.).
Hayes, Rodriguez, Weber, Hurd and Schram are joined by senior Tani Costa (Honolulu, Hawaii) and sophomore Mallory Peterson (Clinton Corner, N.Y.) as returners for PSU's offensive attack. The group posted 48 goals and 36 assists (132 points) for the Nittany Lion offense in 2012.
Navy is led by All-Patriot League first team selection Paloma Perez, All-American and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Jade Seabrook and Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Elizabeth Hoerner. The Midshipmen return eight starters from last season's 19-2-1 Patriot League championship team, including their top three forwards and their entire starting defensive unit.
The Nittany Lions lead Navy 3-1-0 all-time in series that dates back to 2003. The teams last met in 2005 in a match that ended in a 5-0 decision in Penn State's favor.
Fans can follow all of the action of the Penn State-Navy exhibition via Twitter updates.
The Nittany Lions will open the 2013 regular season at home on Friday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. against West Virginia as a part of the Penn State Invitational. PSU will also match up against Hofstra on Sunday, August 25 at 12 p.m. in the four-team tournament.