After a solid opening weekend, the Penn State men's soccer team received recognition in two national polls.

The National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA) poll put the Nittany Lions at No. 14 overall and No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Penn State was absent from the NSCAA preseason polls.

The Nittany Lions also jumped two spots to No. 12 in the Soccer America Poll.

Penn State played two Top 10 programs at the Ohio State Classic on Sept. 3 and 5. The Nittany Lions tied No. 6 North Carolina 1-1 and then tied No. 8 Wake Forest 2-2.

Freshman goalkeeper Conrad Taylor (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for playing all 220 minutes and helping Penn State get the results.

Also, College Soccer News recently recognized freshman Richard Costanzo (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) as one of the top "100 freshmen to keep an eye on" in 2004. Costanzo recorded his first career assist in his first collegiate game against the Tar Heels.

Penn State will be back in action 5 p.m. Friday versus Georgetown at the University of Maryland Tournament. The Nittany Lions will also battle No. 2 St. John's 12 p.m. Sunday during the tournament.