University Park, Pa. — The Penn State men's soccer team is ranked No. 16 in the nation entering the 2010 season, according to a top 30 preseason poll published by College Soccer News on its website. The national preseason ranking is the Nittany Lions' first since 2006.
Penn State was one of five Big Ten teams to be ranked, preceded only by Ohio State (No. 10) and followed by Northwestern (No. 18), Michigan State (No. 19), and Indiana (No. 21).
Guided by first year head coach Bob Warming, Penn State returns 17 letterwinners and nine starters, including four All-Big Ten performers and 2009 team leaders in goals and assists, from a squad that won 12 games, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament title game, and earned a berth in the NCAA Championship last season.
The Nittany Lion offense will be fronted by a pair of All-Big Ten selections in midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.). Braga, a senior, led PSU will seven assists in 2009 and ranked second on the team in points with 21. Hertzog, a junior, topped the team in goals (11), including six game winners, and points with 28 a year ago. Senior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.), a team co-captain for the 2010 season, will look to expand his role in the attack after posting three goals and two assists in 2009.
Senior co-captain Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela), a First Team All-Big Ten performer last season, will anchor the Penn State defense. Juniors Mark Fetrow (West Chester, Pa.), Justin Lee (Derwood, Md.), and Patrick Krispin (The Woodlands, Texas), along with senior Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.), will team with Casais to form a formidable back line. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Warren Gross (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) returns after starting all 22 games in 2009, compiling a 0.83 goals against average.
The 2010 season will be a special one for the Penn State men's soccer program, as it will mark its 100th year of existence with a season-long celebration. Penn State will also serve as hosts of the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 11-14) for the third time since joining the conference in 1991.
Penn State is set to open training camp on Mon., Aug. 16. The Nittany Lions will make their first appearance under Warming on Sat., Aug. 21 when they host Hartwick at Jeffrey Field in a 7:30 p.m. exhibition match. Penn State will open the 2010 regular season on Fri. Sept. 3 with a 5 p.m. contest against Buffalo at Ohio State's Wolstein Classic in Columbus.