As the men's soccer team ends its regular season Sunday afternoon at Connecticut, it will also mark the final regular season game for senior defenseman Matt Woolley.

"We still have the Big Ten tournament and, hopefully, the NCAAs remaining for this season," Woolley said. "It would be nice to end my, as well the the other seniors' careers, on a positive note."

Coach Barry Gorman can only think of positives when he speaks of Woolley.

"He gives his all on the soccer field for us," Gorman said. "No one could ever acuse Matt of coming up short in a game, because he doesn't give in."

Woolley said to get a far as he is now without some help along the way would have been impossible.

"My father, who coaches the soccer team at Millerville University, was a great role model early on for me," Woolley said. "And within the last seven years, my older brother, Andy, who played for Penn State in 1987 and 1988, really added to my love for the game of soccer."

A winning tradition has followed Woolley throughout his high school and college career.

Woolley, who played on the Mayhiem Township High School soccer team, was a four-year starter for the Blue Streaks, earning four letters, and leading his team in scoring in both his junior and senior years.

For his efforts, Woolley earned all-league honors three out of the four years, as well as, being named to the regional and all-state All-American teams during his senior year.

One would think that Woolley had his mind made up to play soccer in college, but football also played a major role in his life.

He was a three-year starter on the football squad, earning all Lancaster-Lebanon league kicker twice in his three years, as well as an all-league punter once in that time frame.

Woolley said he had always considered football an option, stating that he almost went to Syracuse as a kicker, instead of playing soccer.

Reflecting on that point, Woolley said that he is glad that he stuck with soccer and came to Penn State.

"Coming to Penn State, as a freshman, I didn't expect to play much at all," Woolley said, "and I was surprised to play in 15 games, especially with the strong team we had at the time."

"Matt has kept with what has worked for him," Gorman said. "With his kicking experience, he is able to hit a hard, accurate ball from just about anywhere on the field, as he demonstrated in the Michigan State game last weekend."

As a result of Woolley's game winning goal against the Spartans, he has moved his team into prime postion for Sunday's game with Connecticut.

"All the pressure comes down to one game," senior co-captain Steve Sergi said. "If we win, we will remain number one in our region, and be looking good when it comes time for the selections for the NCAA tournament."

Gorman, though, is still cautious of the Huskies.

"Anything can happen at any time, so we have to be ready for whatever Connecticut has in store for us," Gorman said. "Our regular season isn't over yet."