Oct. 25, 2016
By Zach Reagan, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Six Penn State men's soccer seniors will take to the pitch for their home finale at Jeffrey Field Tuesday night.
Penn State faces Wright State as the Nittany Lions look to notch their eighth home victory of the season and conclude yet another successful home slate of games. For the seniors, this game means extra given the sentimental nature of Senior Night. Senior Night honors all the hard work on and off the field, the memories, and the progression throughout their own individual collegiate careers.
"It's great to recognize that we appreciate their efforts," said Penn State head coach Bob Warming.
The six seniors on the team came from very different walks of life, and different locations throughout the country. Seniors Connor Maloney, Mason Klerks and Evan Finney call themselves "The Big Three," since they're the three remaining from their original recruiting class. Seniors Robby Sagel, Riley Grant and Malik Cameron joined the Nittany Lions differently, as transfers.
They've all come together to gel as a giant family and see each other as brothers, according to Finney. Most importantly the senior class is made up of young men who have grown athletically, academically and socially during time at Penn State.
Warming calls the group of seniors a great representative of Penn State on the field, off the field, and in the classroom. On the field, they've taken their soccer skills and fitness levels to new heights with a high work ethic and with the support of outstanding coaches and athletic trainers within the program.
"Each one of the seniors has brought something tremendous to the program in their own way," said Warming. "They've taken advantage of everything Penn State has to offer."
Team captain Maloney has taken advantage of everything Penn State has to offer and more. Maloney is a special talent evolved his game from being a right back as a freshman to an attacking forward as a senior. He has scored seven goals and added four assists in his final season wearing the blue and white. The Harrisburg, Pa. native has been a vital player for Penn State, scoring 26 goals and adding 16 assists for a total of 68 points in his career. Maloney is a two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree and 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year.
"He's improved his passing, shooting, dribbling and fitness remarkably," said Warming.
Since Maloney came on campus in the summer of the freshman year, he's been building upon his social skills which has led to him being named team captain. He credits former player (now assistant coach) Owen Griffith and former player Mikey Minutillo for showing him what makes it takes to be a standout leader.
"I've taken more responsibility as a leader on and off the field," said Maloney.
The second member of "The Big Three," Finney has been strong in goal throughout his career for "Goalkeeper U." The San Francisco, Calif. native earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice in his senior season and has posted three shutouts, with two of those have come after bouncing back from an injury.
He looks to build upon his favorite memories with a postseason run this season. He remembers vividly in 2013 when the Nittany Lions beat Northwestern in double overtime for the Big Ten regular season championship then later in the year upset UC Santa Barbara in front of a huge crowd at Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament to send the Nittany Lions to the Sweet 16. With another semester remaining, Finney is excited to treasure even more moments.
"I have another semester left and I'm going to take full advantage of it," Finney said. "I love Penn State."
Sagel, a transfer defender and Las Vegas, Nev. native has played in 31 matches with 30 starts on the backline for the Blue and White. His two career goals came in crucial moments against then-No. 10 Indiana in 2015 and then-No. 19 Michigan State this year. Sagel has been a pillar for the defense which has posted 10 shutouts in his two years at Penn State.
He faces offensive challenges from forwards on the field but he's also been challenged in the classroom. He said it's better prepared him for the future. As for Senior Night, he said he's going to be emotional but it's not going to distract from the game at stake.
"It's sad to think about," said Sagel. "I think those feelings will come in the moment. Instead of it being the end for the seniors, I think it's the start of a run."
For more information on Nittany Lion men's soccer, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com and follow the team on the various social media platforms.