Men's Soccer Wraps Up 2025 Campaign Against No. 10 Michigan
Michigan at Penn State
5-8-3 | 1-6-2 B1G
11-2-3 | 6-2-1 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer finishes out the 2025 campaign when the team hosts No. 10-ranked Michigan on Friday night in University Park, Pennsylvania. Action kicks off at 8 p.m. at 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 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 fell at the hands of Ohio State, dropping a 1-0 decision in Columbus, Ohio.
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 Michigan
CLAWING FOR INFORMATION
The Wolverines hold a record of 115-93-51 under 13th-year head coach Chaka Daley. Michigan has an overall record of 11-2-3 this season and has won their last 5 games.
Michigan is 6-2-1 in Big Ten play, falling to Michigan State on the road, 2-1, and No. 15 Maryland away, 2-0.
Michigan currently sit third in the Big Ten standings with 19 points.
The Wolverines are currently ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and ranked No. 9 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll.
Goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson has seven shutouts on the season, ranking second in the Big Ten.
The Wolverines give away lots of fouls, ranking first in the Big Ten in yellow cards with 40.
Midfielder Raymundo Mendez, defender Nolan Miller, and midfielder Shuma Sasaki were all listed as Big Ten Players to Watch at the start of the season.
Michigan reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2024, falling to Dayton, 2-0.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the 33rd meeting all-time between the two schools. The Nittany Lions hold the advantage in the series, with a record of 16-12-4 against the Wolverines.
In 2024, the No. 22 ranked Wolverines defeated Penn State, 2-1, in Ann Arbor. Penn State last faced Michigan in the postseason during the 2021 Big Ten Tournament. The Nittany Lions came out on top, winning 2-0.
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.