UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer announces the signing of veteran goalkeeper Andrew Cooke from Akron, Ohio and goalkeeper Jonathan Evans from Collegeville, Pa.
Cooke played at Colgate for the last four years. The six-foot-three keeper made a significant impact during his time with the Raiders. He helped the team advance to the Patriot League Tournament in 2022 and 2023.
Cooke is a force between the posts registering a save percentage of .699 and making 123 saves in 40 appearances and 38 starts. He was named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week on three occasions.
Cooke is set to join the Nittany Lions in January. He graduated from Colgate with a degree in Biochemistry this month.
Evans is set to graduate from YSC Academy in Chester, Pa. in the spring of 2024 where he has played for the Philadelphia Union Academy Program in the MLS Next League for six years. The 6-foot keeper was also called up to the Union II team in the MLS Next Pro League during that time.
Throughout his time at the Academy, the future Nittany Lions helped lead the team to several Championships including the team's most recent victory in the 2023 U17 Generation Adidas Cup. After helping the team to the 2021 U15 MLS Next Cup Finals, Evans and the team won the Championship at the U17 level in 2022. At the U13 level the Union Academy team won the 2019 Conacaf Championship.
Penn State runs deep in the Evans family. The keeper's grandmother and mother are both Nittany Lion alumni and his two older sisters are currently enrolled and reside in Happy Valley.
COOK ON ANDREW
"We look forward to welcoming Andrew to Penn State, he is a highly experienced goalkeeper who had great success at Colgate. Andrew brings a great presence in goal. He is very effective at dealing with crosses and we are looking forward to adding his talent and leadership to our men's soccer program."
ANDREW ON WHY PENN STATE
"I choose Penn State because I wanted to be a part of a team that strives to compete at the highest level of college soccer nationally, and to be surrounded by coaches and players who have that kind of winning mentality. Penn State also provides me a great post-grad fit for me academically."
COOK ON JONATHAN
"Jonathan is a goalkeeper from the Philadelphia Union Academy who we have seen develop greatly over the last couple of years as we recruited him. We feel he has excellent potential and can come into our program and elevate the overall depth and quality of our goalkeeping position."
JONATHAN ON WHY PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the many options it offers me athletically and academically. The coaching staff is very welcoming and made me feel at home immediately. My desire to be at Penn State has grown over the years as I have watched my two sisters thrive here. Learning about the university through their experiences along with my multiple visits has made Penn State an easy choice."
