CARY, N.C. – Penn State men's soccer has returned to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season. As the Nittany Lions prepare for another go at a national title, they hope a successful spring season, on the back of a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament, can propel them to victory in a national tournament unlike any other.
To prevent COVID-19 from having an impact on the tournament, all 36 teams, reduced from the normal field of 48, will be a part of a bubble, playing all games in the Cary, North Carolina area. Head coach Jeff Cook acknowledged the unique setting but spoke highly of his team's ability to overcome these obstacles.
"I believe that the team's experience of navigating COVID since 14 months ago, and all the things that have happened between then and now, have prepared us to face significant challenges," said Cook. "Every team will have their own set of circumstances, but we just need to make sure when the whistle blows, we're ready to go."
Penn State has thrived off a balanced diet this season. The Nittany Lions rank second in the Big Ten, with two goals per game and a team goals against average of .960 in what has been a conference-only schedule up to this point. The Blue and White will look to remain steady in both facets down south.
The offense has received an extra boost as of late, with sophomore forward Liam Butts finding his groove in the Big Ten Tournament. Butts showed lots of promise off the bench in the quarterfinal against Ohio State, before scoring in each of the next two rounds. After battling through injuries in the regular season, it appears last season's joint leading goal scorer is coming back into form when it matters most.
"Jeff (Cook)'s been really good at just putting me in really good positions," said Butts. "I think if I just keep on working hard and keep on listening to my coach that more goals and more opportunities will come."
Coach Cook was equally as complementary to Butts. He finds juggling the steady goal scoring threats of freshman Peter Mangione and junior Danny Bloyou, along with the hot hand of Butts, a good problem to have.
"Having three outstanding, proven goal scorers - guys who have stepped up in big moments and scored, it just gives you a little more confidence," said Cook. "All three guys are very mature, they're very team oriented, they're very smart."
Changing gears, the defense has been anchored by redshirt senior Brandon Hackenberg and redshirt junior Nicholas Rieple, who has stepped up and filled a big role, starting eight contests for the Nittany Lions this season. Rieple spoke highly of the team's character both on and off the pitch and stressed how pivotal chemistry will be going forward.
"A big key going into the tournament is how well can we communicate," said Rieple. "If we stick to that and do the little things, I think that we should find some success in the tournament."
In the shadow of a heartbreaking Big Ten championship game result, Cook believes in the Penn State model, a squad that's overcome so much together and its ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.
"We've had leads early, we've come from behind, we've played in overtime, and now we've had the very painful and unique experience of getting knocked out of a competition on penalties," said Cook. "I hope all those experiences combined will harden us for the realities of the NCAA Tournament."
Penn State will start its NCAA Tournament run in the second round. The Nittany Lions will face the UMass Minutemen in Greensboro, N.C. on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
