University Park, Pa. — The nation’s leader in goals and points, junior forward Corey Hertzog (Reading, Pa.), has been named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday. He was recognized with the award for his standout performance in a double overtime home loss to No. 1 Akron on Oct. 13 and a road tie with Northwestern on Sunday.
The league honor is the third of Hertzog’s career and marks the third time this season a Nittany Lion has been recognized by the Big Ten, following in the footsteps of senior defender Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) (Oct. 11) and senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (Sept. 20).
Versus No. 1-ranked Akron, Hertzog provided Penn State with an early lead, thrilling the partisan crowd numbering 2,856 strong by scoring in the game’s sixth minute. Receiving a ball played up the center of the field by junior midfielder Mackenzie Arment (Manheim, Pa.), Hertzog cut across the face of Akron goalkeeper David Meves, beating him. Taking advantage of the open look, he slammed in a shot from 10 yards out. The goal came against an Akron defense that had previously surrendered just two total goals through 10 games.
After playing 106-plus minutes versus the Zips on Sunday and making the long road trip to Illinois, Hertzog was on the field for all 110 minutes just three days later in Penn State’s 1-1 draw with Northwestern. He once again gave the Nittany Lions the lead, netting his second goal of the week in the 39th minute. After initiating the play with an offering that hit the crossbar and following an ensuing scramble, Hertzog received a pass from Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.) deep in the box. Spinning around a defender, he hit a volley that found net just under the crossbar from five yards out.
In 2010, Hertzog has firmly established himself as one of the nation’s most talented and prolific offensive players. Through 13 games, he leads the NCAA in goals with 13 and points with 30. A sure-fire candidate for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, Hertzog tops the conference in a total of five major statistical categories – goals, goals per game (1.00), points, points per game (2.33), and game-winning goals (5). He has scored a goal in 11 games this season and been held without a point just twice.
Despite receiving no national preseason All-American recognition after a standout 2009 sophomore year, Hertzog has captured national attention for his exceptional 2010 season, receiving TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Week (Sept. 19), Top DrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week (Aug. 30 & Sept. 19), and College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Sept. 5 & 19) honors. He was also named tournament MVP of the 2010 Wolstein Classic and the Philly Soccer News Player of the Week (Sept. 5) this season.
Penn State kicks off its final home stand of the 2010 regular season on Wed., Oct. 20 when the Nittany Lions face UMBC (6-4-2) for the first time in program history at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions will then host conference rival Ohio State (7-4-2, 2-1-0) on Sat., Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in a rematch of the 2009 Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the match on tape delay basis, with the re-air scheduled for Sun., Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
In addition to the pivotal match-up between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes, the weekend promises to be special for other significant reasons. Penn State soccer alums, friends, and family will gather to honor and commemorate the program’s 100-year anniversary. Alumni in attendance will be honored in a ceremony at halftime of the contest. In addition, Saturday will be Senior Day. Following the game, seniors Matheus Braga, Andres Casais (Caracas, Venezuela), Drew Cost, Treavor Gelsinger (Shady Grove, Pa.), and Andy Parr (Hummelstown, Pa.) will be recognized for their contributions to the program.