UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men’s soccer will travel to College Park on Tuesday, October 1st where they will face the No. 19 Maryland Terrapins. The match will be streamed on Big Ten Network at 6 p.m. (ET) with Dean Linke and Patrick Doody on the call.

LAST TIME OUT

The Nittany Lions defeated St. John’s 2-1 in a non-conference matchup away in Queens, N.Y. The Red Storm kept possession for the majority of the first half and were first on the board after a goal by Tyler Morock in the 21st minute. Late in the second half, Penn State’s Matthew Henderson managed to even the score by bending a corner kick into the back of the net. Just five minutes later, Henderson made a quick pass in the box to Michael Hewes, who put a shot past St, John’s keeper for the winning goal.

Redshirt freshman Fredrick Grundin registered three saves in 90 minutes. He remains undefeated between the posts this season.

Henderson now leads the Nittany Lions with eight points coming from three goals and two assists.

Penn State holds an overall record of 4-5-0 (1-2-0 B1G).

2024 PREVIEW

Head Coach Jeff Cook returns at the helm of the Penn State men's soccer program for his seventh season. The two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year will aim to return to the conference tournament finals for the fourth time in his PSU career after earning a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Title in 2023. 

Assistant Coaches Clint Long (fifth season), Sean Lawlor (second season) and Oscar Umar (second season) also return to Happy Valley to help Cook make another post season run.

Penn State was picked to finish second in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll behind Indiana. Last season the Nittany Lions finished 10-5-4 after falling to the Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament Finals.

The Nittany Lions begin 2024 with five openings from last year's starting XI. 

The departure of Pete Mangione up front will be vital. The forward accounted for nearly 25 percent of the Blue & White's scoring last season.

Additionally, the exit of goalkeeper Kris Shakes and defender Femi Awodesu will be felt. The duo were a part of a backline that kept opponents to .79 goals per match and seven shutouts.

Penn State returns 14 letterwinners from last season, including Big Ten All-Freshmen honoree Caden Grabfelder. The sophomore is the team's second leading goal scorer from last season behind Mangione. 

The Nittany Lions also welcome 12 newcomers to the squad with six freshmen, five graduate transfers and one junior transfer. 

THE B1G THREE

Mohamed Cisset, Matthew Henderson and Caden Grabfelder were all selected as Big Ten Players to Watch this preseason. The trio will look to bring their momentum from last season to 2024.

Cisset returns to Happy Valley after an eventful offseason. The defender was called up to the Malian U23 team and made the 2024 Mali Olympic roster. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Cisset was landed as No. 74 on Top Drawer Soccer’s Post Season Top 100 Freshmen.

Larkhall, Scotland native, Henderson had a standout sophomore season as a member of a Nittany Lion backline that contributed to seven shutouts and held opponents to .79 goals per match. 

Grabfelder comes back for his second season in the Blue and White. The Northampton, Pennsylvania, native had a dominant rookie season as the top returning point scorer on the 2024 roster with three goals and three assists. Grabfelder was ranked No. 14 on Top Drawer Soccer’s Post Season Top 100 Freshmen.

AYE, AYE CAPTAIN

Redshirt-junior Ben Liscum and junior Matthew Henderson were voted as co-captains this preseason by their teammates and coaching staff. 

Liscum appeared in all 19 matches last season, dishing out a goal and an assist. 

Henderson started all 19 matches last season, registering a goal and five assists. The defender is the team's returning assist leader.