Senior forward Simon Omekanda
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; December 1, 2006 - Senior forward Simon Omekanda (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and junior goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.) have been named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team for their standout 2007 seasons.
Over his brilliant career, Omekanda developed into one of the Big Ten's most dangerous weapons on the attack. The lone survivor of a plague of injuries that decimated the starting front line this season, he was counted on heavily to supply offensive punch. The two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection delivered, leading Penn State in nearly every offensive statistical category in 2006, including goals (5), assists (4), points (14), shots (61), and shots on goal (28). One of his team-high three game-winning goals propelled Penn State past Northwestern in a double overtime Big Ten Championship opening round contest. Omekanda has totaled 20 goals as a Nittany Lion and his 26 career assists places him sixth on Penn State's all-time list. Owning speed and agility coveted by professional teams, he has been invited to participate in the 2007 MLS Player Combine in January in Florida.
In 2006, Taylor was the cornerstone of the defense, as he has been throughout his three years at Penn State. Taylor, a First Team All-Big Ten honoree in 2005 and 2006, has started every game of his collegiate career, a streak of 64 consecutive contests. He has not missed a minute of playing time since earning a spot in the starting line-up in the first game of his freshman year, a total of over 6,143 minutes. With 21 career shutouts, including three this season, Taylor currently resides in third place on Penn State's career shutouts list, just 7.25 behind all-time leader Greg Kenney.
Junior goalkeeper Conrad Taylor
Head coach
Barry Gorman, entering his 20th season at the helm of the Nittany Lion men's soccer program, will return seven starters and 20 letterwinners in 2007, including Taylor, the core of his defense in
Geordie MacNeill (Richmond Hill, Ont.),
Stephen Reihner (Washington, Pa.) and
Ryan Badaracco (Wexford, Pa.) and 2005 Big Ten Second Team forward
Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.).
For more information on Nittany Lion men's soccer, visit the official website of Penn State athletics at www.GoPSUsports.com.
