STATE COLLEGE, Pa., January 14, 2003?- Penn State senior defender Brent Jacquette (Wallingford, Pa.) was recently named a Collegiate MVP by Soccer America, a postseason honor reserved for the country's top 11 players. Jacquette was the only player from the Big Ten to receive the distinction.

Jacquette has already been selected to the 2002 NSCAA/adidas Mid-Atlantic All-Region first team in honor of his accomplishments this season, and he was also named to the All-Big Ten first team for the second consecutive season this year. He is currently participating in the 2003 adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which is scheduled to conclude today. For the past four days Jacquette has been displaying his talents in front of Major League Soccer scouts with the hope that he will be selected in the MLS Superdraft this weekend.

Jacquette, who served as a tri-captain for the Nittany Lions this season, played a major role in Penn State's success this season, especially in areas that do not show up on the box score. Jacquette started in all 22 of the games in which he participated and consistently played stellar defense to help the Nittany Lions hold their opponents to an average of 1.25 goals and only 10.5 shots per game. However, he was by no means absent of the offensive end, as he finished the season fifth on the team in points with seven. He tied for fourth on the squad with two goals, including one game-winner, on 14 shots, and he recorded three assists as well.

Penn State freshman midfielder David Walters (Hunlock Creek, Pa.) was recently named to the Collegesoccernews.com All-Freshman Second Team. Walters wasted little time making an impact with the Nittany Lions, as he started in all 24 games in his debut season. He finished the season fourth on the team in points with nine after scoring two goals and dishing out five assists through the 2002 campaign.?

Penn State head coach Barry Gorman directed the Nittany Lions to a 16-8 record and a Big Ten Tournament Title this season. Penn State advanced all the way to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual National Champion UCLA.