Men's soccer earns bid to NCAA Championships

The bid has finally come in and the Penn State men's soccer team is going to The Dance.

This week the Nittany Lions (17-3-1), No. 6 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, will get the home field advantage when William and Mary College (14-6-3) swings into town to compete in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday at 1 p.m. on Jeffery Field.

"We're delighted to be in the tournament," Penn State men's soccer coach Barry Gorman said in a press release. "It's great to have a home game."

The Lions are coming off an agonizing defeat in double overtime at the hands of long-time rival Indiana in the Big Ten Championships final and will have the week off to regroup and prepare for this week's faceoff.

The Lions made it to the second round of the tournament last year after stunning Connecticut in the first round on Huskies' territory after they missed a penalty kick with 22 seconds left in the game.

The Lions then moved into the second round, but fell short when the lost a close game against St. John's.

This year the Lions won't have to chance to see Connecticut until possibly in the semifinals, but could clash again next week with the Red Storm if they pull out a win this weekend.

The Red Storm is scheduled to play Maryland. And if it wins, and the Lions win, then there will be a rematch of last year's second-round contest.

The Lions' first opposition, William & Mary lead by coach Al Albert, are formable opponents. The Tribe is on an eight-game winning streak, including three games when they captured the CAA Championship.

"To play at home is just a reward for the kids and the outstanding season they've had," Gorman said. "Now we have to focus on William and Mary and try to get by the first round."

Tickets for the game won't be sold until Saturday at the Jeffery Field gate and will cost $7 for adults and $5 for youth, students and senior citizens.

— By Tom Orszulak