Aug. 7, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's soccer head coach Jeff Cook has announced the addition of transfers Keegan Ness and Mason Deeds to the 2018 Penn State men's soccer roster. Ness, a midfielder, and Deeds, a defender, will join the Nittany Lions during preseason camp.
Ness, a native of Roseville, Calif., joins the Nittany Lions from Oregon State where he spent one year with the Beavers. Prior to OSU, Ness played club soccer for the U15 Placer United SC where his team won the 2014-15 NorCal NPL Championship. Ness also played for the U16 and U18 Sacramento Republic FC Academy teams.
"We're pleased to welcome Keegan Ness to the Penn State men's soccer family," said head coach Jeff Cook. "He is a talented central midfield player who was a highly sought after recruit from Sacramento Republic Academy. Keegan has a high level of game intelligence, is a very effective passer, and we think he can contribute quality and depth to our midfield group."
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be joining such an outstanding program," said Ness. "I can't wait to get started with this group of guys."
Ness is a 2017 graduate of Roseville High School where he was named captain his sophomore year while earning first team All-Capital Valley Conference honors.
Deeds, a native of Topton, Pa., joins the Nittany Lions from Georgetown where he spent two season with the Hoyas. Deeds played nine games in both campaigns, including three starts and winning a Big East championship in 2017.
Deeds spent four years with the New York Red Bulls Academy and the last two years in the New York Red Bulls U23 league. Deeds helped lead the team to a Generation Adidas Cup in 2014-15 while earning USSDA All-East Conference Best XI honors for the year.
"We are delighted to add Mason Deeds to our very competitive group of defenders," said Cook. "I had the opportunity to watch Mason closely as a youth player with the New York Red Bulls Academy and was always impressed with his play as a central defender. Mason's aggressive style and determination will fit in very well with our team's defensive philosophy."
Deeds has also trained and played overseas in Scotland, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovakia while playing with the New York Red Bulls Academy and the Olympic Development Program Region I team.
"I can't wait to get started with the guys," said Deeds. "There is so much talent and potential within the team and my time here will definitely be something special."
Deeds is a 2016 graduate of Brandywine Heights. His twin sister, Madison, plays field hockey at Providence College.
The Penn State men's soccer team opens the 2018 season on Friday, Aug. 24 against UCF at Jeffrey Field. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.