Scouted PSU takes field against Seton Hall, MSU

By THOMAS ORSZULAK
Collegian Staff Writer

The eyes watching the Penn State men's soccer team might be following more than just a favorite player. By this point in the season, the Nittany Lions' play has been heavily scouted.

Reports about the team's offensive and defensive strategies can be found lurking in the hands of all opposing teams, and change is in order for the Lions to be able to continue being successful.

"We're making adjustments to the offense and defense." Penn States assistant men's soccer coach Kevin Doyle said.

With changes being made to the team's look, the Lions also are starting to feel the effects of the long season and the toll it can take on the players who spend the majority of games on the field.

"They're starting to feel down as weather changes and it gets colder," Doyle said. "No one is unable to play, but nagging injuries are present."

With these other concerns in the back of their mind, the Lions still have to focus on what lies before them this weekend. They have two other concerns that are going to need to be dealt with — Seton Hall and Michigan State.

The Lions (11-2, 2-2 Big Ten) will be put to test when slumping Seton Hall (8-5, 4-4 Big East) tries to stop a four-game losing streak against them, 7 p.m. Friday on Jeffrey Field. Seton Hall was ranked high in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Poll earlier in the season, but fell out of the rankings when it lost its last four games.

"They're going to come after us with something to prove," Doyle said.

The Pirates are open-minded about the game against the Lions and plan to evaluate the tempo of the game to decide how they are going to attack.

"We are going to try and play good soccer and see what gets us through," Seton Hall men's soccer coach Manfred Schellscheidt said.

The Lions look for the Pirates to play a retreating type of offense so they will be able to get people back to defend behind the ball. By having the numbers back to defend, they will be looking first to halt the offensive assault, and second for a way to score by finding light to the goal by a Penn State defensive error. The Pirates' offensive attack is tight. In their offensive arsenal lies some of the best forwards in the nation in Greg Strohmann, Brian Cuddy and Peter Scavo, all three who are known for their performances on the field. The Pirates said they know they are in for a battle against Penn State.

"They are a great team that's going to be a challenge," Schellscheidt said.

At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the Lions will roll into Michigan State to take on the Spartans at Old College Field in East Lansing, Mich.

The Spartans (8-4-1, 1-1) are on a four-game win streak and will be looking to make it five.

"They're going to be on a roll and want to break us off," Doyle said. "They have proved themselves to be a quality team."

Michigan State has an offensive strike that can come from a number of different sources. Five players have at least three goals apiece. Defender John Benoist is leading the team with five.

Doyle said he expects to see a lot of defensive pressure from Michigan State as he expects the Spartans to position their defenders in a packing style, surrounding the net.

"I think that Penn State is such a talented team," Michigan State men's soccer coach Joe Baum said. "If you don't play defense you will get blown away."