The Penn State men's soccer team kicks off its season with an exhibition match against St. Francis College tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field.

The Nittany Lions regular season slate begins the weekend of Sept. 2 and 3 in the New Hampshire Nike Classic where they will compete against Vermont and host-school New Hampshire.

Highlights of the Lions schedule include a home match with rivals Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan State and away matches at Michigan, Northwestern and Wisconsin.

Numerous non-conference matches will also compliment a demanding schedule as South Carolina, Akron, Cornell and Hartwick challenge the Lions.

Penn State will also participate in the annual Penn State Nike Classic and the Ohio State Nike Classic.

The Lions are led by All-American, co-captain and Hermann Trophy candidate Ricardo Villar and co-captains Derek Potteiger and Jorma Makipaa.

First-year St. Francis coach Fernando Barboto is impressed with the Nittany Lions.

"My take on Penn State is that they are a very well-coached team," he said. "They work very hard and they are very talented."

Penn State finished last year with a record of 19-4-1.