MATCH DAY: Penn State MSOC at Missouri State

KICKOFF

The Nittany Lions look to keep the momentum rolling after beginning the Coach Dow era with a win against in-state foe Mercyhurst.

Coach Dow became the first coach to win their Penn State career opener since Bob Warming took down Buffalo, 5-0, to open the 2010 season and his Penn State career.

B1G THINGS

The Nittany Lions had three student-athletes tabbed as Big Ten Players to Watch the conference offices announce Tuesday afternoon. The group includes Daniel Peluffo-Wiese, Noad Förster, and Joe Buckley. 

Through one game, Förster made his impact immediate, dishing an assist on Penn State’s first goal under Coach Dow.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Graduate Student Grant McIntosh and sophomore Joe Sheridan will serve as the captainship for Penn State in the 2026 season.

Sheridan was one of three PSU returners from last year’s squad, while McIntosh brings four years of college soccer experience to Happy Valley from Duquesne and Akron.

BEHIND AT THE BEARS

The Bears hold a record of 73-41-19 under fifth-year head coach Michael Seabolt.

Missouri State wrapped up the 2025 season in the American Conference Championship quarterfinals.

Since the beginning of the 2019 season, Missouri State holds the best Division I overall record of 90-21-14 (.776), second-best conference record of 49-6-6 (.853) and fifth-best home record of 52-9-7 (.816).

Missouri State finished in fourth place in the 2026 American Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll behind Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, and South Florida.

STORY OF THE SERIES

This game marks the third meeting all-time between the two programs. 

The Nittany Lions won the first-ever meeting back in 2001, 1-0, but dropped last years meeting in a 3-1 decision.

In last year’s game, PSU scored in the seventh minute but faced three unanswered tallies by the Bears.