Nittany Lions Meet Badgers in Saturday Night Primetime Match
Penn State at Wisconsin
5-6-3 | 1-4-2 B1G
5-7-0 | 2-5-0 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer takes the road to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers in a Saturday night game in Madison, Wisconsin. Action kicks off at 8 p.m. on McClimon Track/Soccer Complex.
Follow the Action
For fans of the Nittany Lions unable to attend the contest at McClimon Track/Soccer Complex, the game will broadcast live to a worldwide audience of authenticated subscribers via B1G+ and the Big Ten 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 No. 21 Washington, ultimately falling in a 2-1 decision.
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 Wisconsin tied for eighth.
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
THE READY SETT
The Badgers hold a record of 24-23-13 under fourth-year head coach Neil Jones.
Wisconsin has an overall record of 5-7-0 this season, most recently losing to No. 14 Indiana in a road match, 4-1. The team is 2-5-0 in Big Ten play, with a win at home over Michigan State and a win on the road against Ohio State.
Wisconsin was picked to finish eighth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. Currently, they sit in ninth in the Big Ten with six points.
Junior defender Ellis Jones Jr., sophomore goalie Matisse Hébert, and sophomore midfielder Matthew Zachemski were all listed as Big Ten Players to Watch at the start of the season.
Head Coach Neil Jones had four players listed in the top-100 freshman by Top Drawer Soccer, with three still with the program: Julian Kuhr, Matthew Zachemski, and Matisse Hébert.
Wisconsin’s 17 newcomers to the program for the 2025 season was ranked the No. 13 class in the nation according to Top Drawer Soccer.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the 41st meeting all-time between the two schools. The Nittany Lions hold the advantage in the series, with a record of 23-13-4 against the Badgers.
The two faced off last year at Jeffrey Field in a game where the Nittany Lions lost, 2-0.
Penn State last beat Wisconsin in 2022, 1-0, winning a tightly contested affair thanks to a goal fram Van Danielson and an assist from Matthew Henderson.
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.