Huskies and Nittany Lions Meet on Big Ten Network
Washington at Penn State
5-5-3 | 1-3-2 B1G
8-3-2 | 5-1-0 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer hosts No. 21 Washington in the second nationally televised match for PSU this season. Action kicks off on Monday, October 20 at 6 p.m. on Jeffrey Field.
Follow the Action
For fans of the Nittany Lions unable to attend the contest at Jeffrey Field, the game will broadcast live to a worldwide audience of authenticated subscribers via Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports app. Click the link here to be redirected to the live stream of the broadcast and sign in with credentials for access. Live stats provided by Penn State and StatBroadcast are available here.
KICKIN’ IT
Penn State men’s soccer looks to return to the Big Ten Tournament this year after a falter in the 2024 season, and earn an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since the 2021 season.
Last time out, the Blue and White battled against Northwestern, securing a last-minute tie against the Wildcats to pick up a desperately needed Big Ten point.
PSU needs to string together some wins down the stretch to get to the postseason, as the Big Ten has shrunk the conference tournament to four teams. Penn State sits tied for tenth with upcoming opponent Washington cruising in second place.
B1G THINGS
Following a three-match week, redshirt-freshman Jonathan Evans was named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week. The rookie appeared in and started two of the three matches, posting a combined eight saves and allowing just one goal. He shutout Robert Morris and helped anchor a Penn State defensive effort that posted a 2-1 victory over Big Ten foe Michigan State to get the team back in the conference tournament race.
Malick Daouda, Caden Grabfelder, and Kai Phillip were each named Big Ten Players to Watch in the preseason. Daouda returns to the pitch this year after an All-Big Ten Freshman campaign in 2024. Grabfelder is the Nittany Lions top returning scorer and is expected to have a big season on the score sheet. Phillip comes to Happy Valley after three seasons with the University of Evansville, where the forward totaled 15 goals, including five game-winners and five assists. He guided his team to a 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and was selected as the tournament MVP. In 2023, he was honored by the United Soccer Coaches with All-Region honors.
The trio has combined for 20 points and seven goals so far this season.
O CANADA
After appearing in the first three games of the season, Nittany Lion freshman Ben Nash received a call up from the Canadian u18 National Team. The defender missed a pair of home matches while over in Finland with the national squad.
The rookie trained with the team from August 30 through September 8. In the stretch, he appeared in a pair friendlies, first facing Finland on September 5 and then Switzerland on September 7.
Nash was one of just two athletes called up to be on an NCAA Division I roster.
He made a start for the national squad in the match against Switzerland.
THE RETURN
Caden Grabfelder was one of two Nittany Lions to be drafted in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected 50th overall (round 2, pick 20) by CF Montreal.
Despite the opportunity to go pro, Grabfelder elected to return to State College and pursue further development at the collegiate level before continuing his soccer career.
WHAT WE GOT BACK
Penn State returns 75% of its goal scoring from last year, including two of its top three scorers in junor Caden Grabfelder and senior Matthew Hederson. The Blue & White also welcomes back 73% of its overall scoring, with returning assist leader Christian Dionne tallying four in the last campaign.
Scouting Washington
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?
The Huskies hold a record of 182-69-41 under 15th year head coach Russell Payne.
Washington has an overall record of 8-3-2 this season, most recently defeating No. 13 Rutgers in a road battle, 2-0.
The Huskies are 5-1-0 in Big Ten play, with wins over Michigan State, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Indiana, and Rutgers. The lone stumble came in a tightly contested 1-0 loss to then-No. 8-ranked Michigan.
The Huskies have a high-powered offense, averaging 7.25 points per game which ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th in the country.
Washington was picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. They chase only Maryland as they rank second with 15 points.
Senior defender Egor Akulov, senior forward Richie Aman, and junior forward Charlie Kosakoff were all listed as Big Ten Players to Watch at the start of the season.
Senior foward Richie Aman has 11 assists, the most in the Big Ten and second most in the country.
Washington has a total of six shoutouts this season.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the third meeting all-time between the two schools. The Nittany Lions are still chasing thier first win against the West Caost foes trailing 0-2-0 in the head-to-head.
The two faced off last year at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle, Washington in a game where the Nittany Lions lost, 3-1.
Before 2024, the last time the pair faced off was in 1996, with Penn State dropping a 2-0 decision.
Follow the Nittany Lions
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State men’s soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion men’s soccer team on X and Instagram @PennStateMSOC, in addition to the team’s Facebook page at /PennStateMensSoccer.