Soccer: Men's

The Good

Defense: The Nittany Lions recorded their seventh shutout in nine games, proving once again that defense is their biggest strength. The back line has been superb throughout the season, and they have made Andrew Wolverton's transition to the college game look easy.

Bench Depth: During the 110 minutes they spent on the field, coach Bob Warming rotated in five different players as subs. Having 16 different players see significant time in a close game shows the type of depth and confidence Warming has in his bench.

The Not-So-Good

Goal Scoring: Another game, another empty scoreboard. Three straight games have gone by without a Lion finding the back of the net. Fortunately for the Lions, they have only lost only one of those games (1-0 at Indiana) and have recorded two scoreless draws (at Hartford and vs. Georgetown). With the defense keeping the opposing offenses in check for the most part, the offense has less pressure on them to quickly find a solution.

The Weather: In five home games this season, the Lions have had to deal with rain in four of them. Some players have said that they do like when the field is wet, since it allows for some easier passing. Unfortunately, coach Bob Warming said it also makes it difficult to complete quick touches when on the attack, and makes generating offense a bit more difficult.

A Look Ahead

Penn State will face another Big Ten opponent Saturday when Michigan visits Happy Valley. Michigan, an NCAA Final Four team in 2010, has struggled out of the gate this season, starting the year 2-7-1, including a 3-2 overtime loss to open Big Ten play against Ohio State. Despite the record, Warming said the Wolverines should not be taken lightly, as they will still be a tough opponent.