UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men's soccer team (4-1-0, 4-1-0 Big Ten) is set to host the Ohio State Buckeyes (3-2-1, 3-2-1 Big Ten) on Tuesday, March 23 at Jeffrey Field. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.
GAME INFORMATION
- Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 | Time: 5 p.m.
- Location: University Park, Pa. | Venue: Jeffrey Field
- Live Stats: GoPSUsports.com | Watch: Big Ten Network+ ($)
PENN STATE AGAINST OHIO STATE
- Penn State and Ohio State face off Tuesday for the 39th time in program history. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series over the Buckeyes, 20-14-4, including two-straight wins.
- Last season, Penn State traveled to Columbus and picked up a 2-1 win in overtime to snap the Buckeyes' five-game win streak at the time.
- The game started late after a nearly 50-minute weather delay and it was a scoreless first half before the Nittany Lions struck first. Then-freshman Andrew Privett scored his first career goal in the 56th minute to give Penn State the initial lead before Ohio State tied it up 10 minutes later to eventually force extra minutes. Then-freshman Liam Butts scored the golden goal in the 97th minute to send the Nittany Lions home happy.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
- The Ohio State Buckeyes are led by third-year head coach Brian Maisonneuve. They are 3-2-1 nearing the last couple weeks of the regular season and are still ranked No. 25 by Top Drawer Soccer heading in to the week.
- Freshman Parker Grinstead leads the Buckeyes with seven points on a team-high three goals and one assist. He is one of seven Ohio State players to score at least one goal this season, and one of 10 to record points.
- In net, senior Noah Lawrence has played all six games and holds a 1.29 goals-against average with 17 saves for a .680 save percentage. He has two shutouts against Maryland and Michigan State.
LAST TIME OUT
- Penn State continued its winning ways Friday on the road in Evanston, Ill., taking down Northwestern, 1-0, in overtime at Martin Stadium live on Big Ten Network.
- Junior transfer Danny Bloyou scored the golden goal for the Nittany Lions in the 92nd minute on the assist from freshman Tyger Evans, as the two former Philadelphia Union Academy players have now connected for goals in two-straight games.
- The Penn State offense showed a lot of patience to find the back of the net as the team totaled 14 shots and seven on target during the 90 minutes of regulation.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Kris Shakes earned his third win of the season in net with four saves as he and the defense picked up their first shutout of the season.
EIGHTH ANNUAL MACK BRADY MATCH
- Tuesday's match with Ohio State marks the eighth annual Mack Brady Match as the Nittany Lions help celebrate the life and legacy of one of their biggest fans.
- At the age of eight, Brady passed away on Dec. 31, 2012 following an unexpected blood infection. To honor his life and love for soccer, especially goalkeeping, Mack's parents, Christian and Elizabeth Brady, created the "Mack Brady Memorial Soccer Fund." The fund is an endowment for Penn State goalkeepers to assist with recruiting, equipment and other needs.
- Penn State has always found a way to win in the Mack Brady Match, with a 4-1-2 record in those games.
BLOYOU BLASTS
- Junior transfer Danny Bloyou has incredible speed that he's been able to utilize to beat opposing defenders and find the back of the net.
- Bloyou now has a team-high nine points on a team-high four goals and one assist.
- After a three-goal week during the week of March 15-21, Bloyou was named College Soccer News' Men's National Player of the Week.
- The Philadelphia, Pa., native recorded his first career multi-goal game against Rutgers on March 15 and his first career game-winning goal at Northwestern on March 19.
- His four goals is third-most in the Big Ten as is his nine total points.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
- Penn State offensively is taking a lot of shots, but a lot of good shots on target.
- The Nittany Lions are pacing the league with an average 14.0 shots per game, recording 13 or more shots in four of five games this season. They are averaging 6.60 of those shots on net, a mark that is also top-20 in the nation (18th).
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State remains within the friendly confines of Jeffrey Field for one final home game during the 2020-21 regular season. The Nittany Lions will welcome the Wisconsin Badgers to Happy Valley for a 2 p.m. match on Saturday, March 27. The game will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+. It is also Senior Day, presented by the Penn State Alumni Association.