If a Central Florida attacker dribbles past Penn State defender Andres Casais at some point this afternoon, it will likely be the goalkeeper's duty to then make the defensive stop.

The only problem, however, is that the sophomore remains uncertain of who that next line of defense will be.

It is likely not until the Penn State men's soccer team takes the field in Columbus, Ohio, for the Bert and Iris Wolstein Soccer Classic, that it will finally know who its starting goalkeeper will be.

"We haven't heard anything yet," Casais said. "Everybody is pretty curious."

Regardless, the Nittany Lions are preparing the same way for Central Florida and Florida Gulf Coast, who they will open their season against at 5 p.m. today and at noon on Sunday, respectively.

Penn State will be looking to accomplish something it did just once last season -- win away from home.

Coming off a 2007 campaign that saw the team go just 1-7-2 away from Jeffrey Field, the Lions hope their fortunes will change at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

Despite welcoming promising new talent that is not used to the travel of college soccer, Penn State coach Barry Gorman believes his team will be prepared because of its returning veterans.

"We have depth, so the guys that come in, plus the guys that played last year a lot, have that experience," Gorman said. "But we won't be as naïve when we go on the road."

The Lions will be facing two squads that went a combined 12-22-3 last season. Even though Central Florida features 18 new players and Florida Gulf Coast's soccer program is in just its second season of play, Penn State knows not to underestimate its opponents, especially given its recent history of play away from home.

That history, Casais said, coupled with the fact that there is minimal information available on teams to start the season, means anything can happen.

"We haven't really heard that much about them because it's the start of the season," Casais said. "If we based ourselves on our record, we had a losing season last season but we were a hell of a team. It could be the same for them."

Casais' words echoed those of goalkeeper Liam Fitzwater, who split time with Warren Gross in net in the Lions' two exhibition games.

And whether or not Fitzwater does end up getting the starting nod, he and his teammates are approaching each game this year the same, regardless of location.

"We're a whole new team with a whole new schedule," Fitzwater, the redshirt sophomore, said. "I guarantee we'll come away with more road wins."