UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State head coaches Erica Walsh and Bob Warming and their teams will co-host an evening of soccer activities on Sat., August 13 to officially kick off the 2011 season. Scheduled events, all of which are free to the public, include a Blue/White women’s game, a men’s training session, a youth clinic, and an autograph session.
The Nittany Lion women will scrimmage from 4-5 p.m. on Jeffrey Field before moving to the adjacent practice field for another hour of training. The men’s team will then take to the home pitch to hold a training session. A youth clinic will follow at 6 p.m. on Little Jeffrey Field, which is located just south of the stadium. After the clinic, starting at 7 p.m., members from both teams will be available to sign autographs.
The clinic will be a formal and fun time for youths of all ages to meet the team and receive instruction from two of the foremost coaches in collegiate soccer and their staffs. Walsh, who has won a Big Ten title in each of her five years in Happy Valley, is assisted by Ann Cook (fifth year), Michael Coll (eighth year), and Tim Wassell (second year). Warming, who is entering the 2011 season just three wins shy of 400 for his career, is assisted by first-year coaches Bo Oshoniyi and Chad Duernberger.
Parents bringing their children to the clinic are asked to contact the soccer team by emailing psusoccer@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Please include the child’s name and age in the email. When attending the event, wear a uniform and bring a soccer ball.
The 13-time defending Big Ten champion women’s team will open the 2011 regular season on Fri., August 19 when it faces Pac-12 power Stanford in Palo Alto, Calif. One week later, on Fri., August 26, the Lions will begin their home schedule when they meet West Virginia at Jeffrey Field at 7:30 p.m.
The No. 18-ranked Nittany Lion men will play home preseason exhibitions against Hartwick (August 16, 7:30 p.m.) and Towson (August 19, 7 p.m.) before hosting Siena on August 27 (7 p.m.) at Jeffrey Field to start the regular season.