Men's Soccer Season Preview

High Hopes for 2024 PSUGA Soccer Squad

(McKeesport, PA)

By: Matt Bisceglia

A season ago, Penn State Greater Allegheny fell one game short of reaching a PSUAC Championship appearance. This season has a new sense of determination as Head Coach Jason Broadwater is getting ready to try and lead his team to a championship. PSUGA finished with a 6-10-5 (4-3-1 PSUAC) record last season and finished 4th in the conference standings.

Head Coach Jason Broadwater is entering his 4th season at the helm for PSUGA. With making the PSUAC semifinals two years in a row, Broadwater is poised to take the next step. "I would argue this is the deepest team we've ever had, we are really looking to take this to the next level," Broadwater said. Penn State Brandywine, who have previously won the last 9 out of 10 PSUAC titles, moved to play in the NCAA. You could say there is a different outlook now on the conference, and it is up in the air for anyone to win. "It's wide open, I know us and other campus's feel like this could be their year," said Broadwater. "You constantly have to put the work in, and you have to continue to grow," mentioned Broadwater on how he has handled and evolved as Head Coach of Penn State Greater Allegheny.

On the offensive end, the squad is hoped to be led by Max Whitson, who scored 14 goals and tallied 32 total points last season. "One thing I talked about with Coach Jason and Coach Ryan was not to be complacent with where I was at last year," Whitson said about how he can have a successful 2024 campaign. "I wouldn't say there is any added pressure because I think all of us want to lift the conference championship trophy," Whitson said on how he expects to build from the success he has had. Other key contributors Joshua Nealey had 7 goals of his own and Cameron Downey tallied 5 in 2023.

Chris Klinger is set to make his 4th and final season in net for Penn State Greater Allegheny. Klinger has already set multiple campus records and has been the anchor for the team over the years. "I think every year from my freshman year, I have had really good captains and going forward with the other groups of seniors," said Klinger on how his leadership has evolved since first stepping foot on campus. "It's my last year here so I really want a conference championship," said Klinger on his team expectations for 2024.

The back line is filled with veterans and key contributors, one of those entering his 3rd season at Greater Allegheny and as captain, Gino Penascino. "My first two seasons at GA, I felt I had a lot of growth thanks to Chris and Coach" mentioned by Penascino on how he has stepped up to take a captain role. Penascino has been a pivotal role on the defensive side of the pitch along with 3rd year Isaac Hrehor and 4th year Noah Hill.

Coach Broadwater is very excited about the 2024 recruiting class, which is bringing a lot of depth to make the team better. "I think Jace Dixon (Lowell, MI) has been a really high priority for us and has been good for us here so far early on, Micheal Damoah (Stafford, VA) has also been equally excellent."

The 2024 season is set to begin September 5th, at home against Thiel College – JV. PSUAC play will begin at home on September 14th against Penn State Lehigh Valley.