Final Road Test of 2025 Regular Season Comes at Ohio State for Men's Soccer
Penn State at Ohio State
5-7-3 | 1-5-2 B1G
5-9-0 | 2-6-0 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer takes its final road contest of 2025 to face off against the Ohio State in a Friday night game in Columbus, Ohio. Action kicks off at 7 p.m. on Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Follow the Action
For fans of the Nittany Lions unable to attend the contest at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, 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 Ohio State and StatBroadcast are available here.
KICKIN’ IT
Last time out, the Blue and White battled against Wisconsin, dropping a 2-0 decision in Madison.
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 Ohio State
LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES
The Buckeyes hold a record of 55-61-21 under eighth-year head coach Brian Maisonneuve. Ohio State has an overall record of 5-9-0 this season, most recently losing on the road to No. 17 Washington, 5-0.
Ohio State is 2-6-0 in Big Ten play, beating Michigan State on the road, 3-2, and defeating UCLA at home, 2-1.
Ohio State was picked to finish third in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. Currently, they sit tied for eighth in the Big Ten with six points.
The Buckeyes were ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll by United Soccer Coaches after winning the conference title last season, but have since fallen out of the top-25 and have an RPI of 93.
Midfielder Aaron Hurge earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors when he scored his first career goal and tallied the game-winning asisst in the 3-2 win over Michigan State.
Sophomore defender Nick McHenry has been awarded Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season.
Goalkeeper Max Trejo is tied for third in total saves in the Big Ten, tallying 42.
Freshman midfielder Michael Ndiweni has previously played in the English Premier League, making his debut for Newcastle in 2023 against Chelsea.
Ohio State has suffered back-to-back heavy defeats, losing to No. 17 Washington 5-0 and losing to No. 8 Maryland 4-0.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the 46th meeting all-time between the two schools. The Nittany Lions hold the advantage in the series, with a record of 23-16-6 against the Buckeyes.
Penn State last faced Ohio State in the postseason during the 2023 Big Ten Tournament. The two schools tied 1-1 in regular time, with the Nittany Lions advancing to the next round through penalty kicks, 4-3.
The game between the two will be Ohio State’s “Senior Day.”
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.