First Trip to California for Men's Soccer Since 2017 Comes at UCLA Friday Night
Penn State at UCLA
5-4-2 | 1-2-1 B1G
2-5-3 | 2-2-1 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer is in the conference stretch now, hitting a road to Los Angeles, California to take on UCLA on Friday, October 10 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET on B1G+.
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. Jonah Malkin will call the action from the Wallis Annenberg Stadium press box. 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 UCLA 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 secured an out of division win when the team hosted King’s College (DIII) for its Senior Day, besting hte Monarchs, 7-1.
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 conbined 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 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 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.
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 UCLA
MORNING BREW-IN
The Bruins hold a record of 50-45-21 under seventh-year head coach Ryan Jorden.
UCLA has an overall record of 2-5-3 this season, most recently tying at home, 0-0, to No. 18 Maryland. The Bruins are 2-2-1 in Big Ten play with wins over Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Forward Sergi Solans Ormo posts an average of 1.4 shots on goal per game, ranking third in the Big Ten.
UCLA was ranked fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, and through five games is tied for third in the conference standings.
Graduate student Drew Brown, sophomore Tamir Ratoviz, and sophomore Sergi Solans Ormo were listed as Big Ten Players to Watch at the start of the season.
Sergi Solans Ormo was named to the 2025 Hermann Trophy Watch List in the preseason. Along with this, he was drafted in the first round, 30th overall, by Real Salt Lake in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the seventh meeting all-time between the two schools. The Nittany Lions have yet to beat the Bruins, holding a record of 0-5-1 against them.
The pair faced off last year at Jeffrey Field in which the Nittany Lions came from two goals down to rescue a draw, finishing the game with a 2-2 final.
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.