It is a well known fact that the Penn State men's soccer team is loaded with experienced talent and leadership that has helped the Nittany Lions achieve its 10-3 record and its No. 13 national ranking.

It is also a fact that the Nittany Lions have a number of underclassmen that will have to make major contributions this season in order for the team to continue with its recent success.

Over the last three games freshman forward Nic Shahay has done more than his fair share to live up to the these high expectations.

"I came in here wanting to play," Shahay said.

"I set goals and I wanted to fit in as much as possible."

Shahay has done a lot more than just fit in. In the last three games he has had five assists, including one in yesterday's 3-0 victory over Cornell.

Shahay has also scored two goals this season including one against St. Bonaventure and Villanova.

Shahay's hard work has not gone unnoticed by his coach or for that matter by his teammates.

"I spoke with him yesterday after practice and I told him I was pleased," head coach Barry Gorman said.

Shahay's confident play could not have come at a better time as the Nittany Lions have rebounded from three consecutive losses to Akron, South Carolina and No. 2 Indiana by defeating their last three opponents — Northwestern, Wisconsin and Cornell.

"I think he's doing an outstanding job," junior midfielder Derek Potteiger said.

Potteiger benefited from Shahay's help yesterday on his way to his first career hat trick. Shahay assisted Potteiger on achieving one of his goals last night.

"He's doing a great job of adapting to that position."

The product of Conrad Weiser High School in Womelsdorf, Pa. will be looked to more as the team prepares for a big test against the 19th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday at Jeffrey Field.

And he definitely seems to be up to the challenge.

"Once we came in here in the preseason we were freshmen. But now that the season has started we aren't freshmen anymore."

Though Shahay has played very well of late, he attributes his recent success to his fellow booters.

"Everybody's really picked up their slack," he said.

"We're starting to work as a team."