Throwback Night for Men's Soccer Comes Tuesday on Big Ten Network
Maryland at Penn State
2-4-1 | 0-2-0 B1G
5-0-1 | 1-0-0 B1G
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's soccer is back in action this week when the team hosts Maryland on Tuesday, September 23 for the team's throwback match at Jeffrey Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
To celebrate throwback night, the team will wear their iconic black and pink uniforms as a call back to Penn State's original color scheme. While supplies last, Penn State students in attendance will recieve a free black and pink t-shirt to support the program.
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 Big Ten Network and the FOX app. Jack Kizer and Chris Munroe will call the action remotely. 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.
The Blue and White dropped back-to-back contests for the first time in 2025, most recently dropping a 4-1 decision to Indiana on Jeffrey Field.
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.
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 Maryland
Tackling the Terrapins
Under the leadership of 33-year head coach Sasho Cirovski, Maryland has a 443-178-73 record.
The Terrapins hold a 5-0-1 record so far this season, with the only blemish coming in a 2-2 tie to Bucknell in the team’s home opener.
Since the draw, Maryland has been on a tear, winning four straight and outscoring opponents 15-2 in that same stretch.
Maryland was voted to finish second in the Big Ten Preseason Poll.
The Terrapins rank first in Division I in points per game (10.17) and assists per game (4.17).
Goalkeeper Laurin Mack is the Big Ten’s leader in save percentage (83.3) and saves per game (3.33). Nittany Lion netminder Jonathan Evans ranks second in conference in saves per game, averaging 3.20 saves per game.
Last season, Maryland finished third in the Big Ten and made post-season appearances in the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament.
STORY OF THE SERIES
This game marks the 55th meeting all-time between the two schools, and Maryland holds a 25-21-8 record against the Nittany Lions.
In the last five contests between the two foes, Penn State owns a 2-0-3 record.
A pair of evenly matched foes, the Terrapins and Nittany Lions have a perfect 20-20 scoreline across the last ten meetings.
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.