Senior Day Celebrations for Men's Soccer Come Against King's College
King's College (DIII) at Penn State
4-4-2 | 1-2-1 B1G
2-5-3 | 0-0-0 MAC Freedom
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer looks to complete a perfect three-match week after taking down Robert Morris and Michigan State when the team returns home to University Park, Pennsylvania, to take on King's College on Sunday, October 5 at Jeffrey Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on B1G+.
After the game, Penn State will honor three members of the program in the team's annual Senior Day celebration. Matthew Henderson, Samuel Ovesen, and Matiwos Rumley will each be recognized for their hard work and dediction to upholding the strong tradition and rich history of Penn State men's soccer.
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 B1G+ and the B1G+ app. Ian Rothenberg and Dominick Pizzelanti will call the action from the Jeffrey Field press box, with Michela Barbanente providing further insight as a sideline analyst. 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 earned a key Big Ten win when the team traveled to Michigan State and downed the Spartans, 2-1.
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 16 points and five 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 is 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.
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 Michigan State
Is This Your King?
The Monarchs hold a record of 9-11-7 under 2nd-year head coach Brandon Raynor.
King’s College has an overall record of 2-5-3 this season, most recently dropping a road match against Susquehanna University. King’s College gets its first taste of conference action Saturday, October 4.
The Monarchs have trouble with cards, ranking 1st in the MAC Freedom and 38th in Division III with 23 yellow cards.
Goalkeeper Ben Van Valkenburg ranks second in the MAC Freedom in saves per game and total saves, averaging 4.50 per game, tallying 36 overall.
The Monarchs were ranked fifth in the preseason MAC Freedom poll.
King’s College return two players who earned All-Mac Freedom honors. Midfielder Philip Permyashkin recieved First Team honors, while Goalkeeper Ben Van Valkenberg earned Second Team Honors.
The Monarchs bring back 12 players who appeared in at least 10 games last season.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the first meeting all-time between the two schools, and King's College's first ever match against a Division I opponent.
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.