University Park, Pa., August 31, 2005 - The No. 23-ranked Penn State men's soccer team opens the 2005 regular season on Friday, Sept. 2 with a 5:00 p.m. ET match-up with eighth-ranked New Mexico at the Ohio State Classic in Columbus, Ohio. The Lions will finish tournament play on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 12:00 p.m. ET when they meet Marquette.

Entering his 18th season at Penn State, Head Coach Barry Gorman returns 13 lettermen, including seven starters, from last year's 20th-ranked squad. Headlining the returnees are senior co-captains David Walters (Hunlock Creek, Pa.) and Brian Devlin (Philadelphia, Pa.). Walters, MVP of the Penn State Nike Classic and the Golden Hurricane Classic in 2004, was recently named to College Soccer News' pre-season All-America third team. Devlin, a former first and second team all-Big Ten midfielder, has started all 65 of his career games.

Also back are one of last year's top scorers, junior Simon Omekanda (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and five-time 2004 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.). In just two years, Omekanda has collected nine goals and 13 assists from his forward position. Taylor played every minute in goal for the Nittany Lions in his freshman campaign, recording 75 saves and eight shutouts.

Penn State remains on the road for its next action when it travels to Blacksburg, Virginia for the Virginia Tech Classic on Sept. 9-11. The Lions will battle James Madison (Fri., Sept. 9) and the host Hokies (Sun., Sept. 11). Penn State opens up the home season on Friday, Sept. 16 versus No. 9 UCLA in a game that will nationally televised by the Fox Soccer Channel. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.

Scouting New Mexico
The No. 8 Lobos return 13 letterwinners and seven starters from a team that notched the best season in school history (17-1-2). The Lobos' group of returnees features one All-American, four all-region and five all-conference players. Jeff Rowland, a senior forward, led New Mexico last season with a school-record 45 points. Senior midfielder Lance Watson was third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in scoring a year ago, totaling eight goals and four assists. Penn State has never faced New Mexico in its 95-year history.

Scouting Marquette
Marquette is coming off its first losing season in six years, finishing 2004 with a 6-11-1 overall and 2-6-1 Conference USA record. The Golden Eagles welcome back nine starters from that team, led by veteran midfielders Ryan Dahlquist and Blair Kohlmeyer. Junior forward Matt Blouin, who tallied two game-winning goals in 2004, will key the Golden Eagle offense in 2005. This season will mark Marquette's first as a member of the BIG EAST Conference. Penn State possesses a 0-1-0 record versus Marquette, with its lone meeting with the Golden Eagles having taken place in 1994.

Penn State and the Ohio State Classic
The Nittany Lions hold a 6-1-3 all-time record at the Ohio State Classic. A year ago in Columbus, Penn State tied No. 6 North Carolina, 1-1, and No. 8 Wake Forest, 2-2. In 2001 and 2003, the Nittany Lions earned undefeated 2-0 tournament records. This marks the sixth-consecutive year Penn State will participate in the Ohio State Classic.

Live stats for the Penn State men's soccer games at the Ohio State Classic will be available at www.GoPSUsports.com.