MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - This season marks a new era for the Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer program. With new additions to the roster and the coaching staff the Lions look to have a stronger presence in the North Eastern Athletic Conference this season. The Lions ended the 2009 season with a 4-2 loss to top-seeded Penn State Abington in the NEAC quarterfinals, finishing 6-12 overall.

Among the new faces on the team is head coach Lester Felician. "I am truly excited to be a part of the Penn State Harrisburg soccer program and even more so because it is our first season in NCAA Division III." Coach Felician comes to Penn State Harrisburg with tremendous experience having played professionally within the United States as well as on Trindad and Tobago's national team. No stranger to the area, most recently, Coach Felician was the head soccer coach at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg.

The Lions are also welcoming a talented group of freshman looking to make an impact on and off the field."We have four energetic , talented freshman. Nana Nyantekyi (Howell, NJ/Freehold Township), who originally hails from Ghana, is very skillful and quick both with and without the ball. Tommy Miller (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) has a very god touch on the ball and good vision that can open up any defense. Justin Henderson (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill) is a very speedy, strong, and hardworking young man that will give you everything on every play. And Josh Wolff (Christiana, PA/Octorana), goal keeper, has very good hands and quick reflexes. I hope they continue to work hard and keep pushing the senior players for starting positions. The team will definitely need their energy and positive attitudes to be in contention to compete each and every game."

All-Conference selection Danny Francis (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) returns for his senior year along with team leaders Toan Ngo (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley), Dillion Sobilo (Eureka, CA/Arcata High), Josh Clinger (East Petersburg, PA/Hempfield) and Caleb Hoppes (Harrisburg, PA/Middletown). "Leadership this season will come from Danny, Caleb, Dillon, Josh and Toan. They all possess good leadership qualities. They are all positive and fun loving individuals that know how to get the best from their teammates."

The Lions are looking to improve their skills, their record and their chances of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Penn State Harrisburg has been formally accepted as an active NCAA Division III member effective September 1, 2010, giving all Penn State Harrisburg teams a new goal and a new source of motivation. "I believe that being part of NCAA Division III is a huge motivating factor for the team to get into NCAA tournament. Their dream is to lift a trophy at the season end." said Felician.

Defending NEAC Champions, Cazenovia College, will be a force to be reckoned with in the conference again this year. The Wildcat's season ended with a 6-0 loss to York College in the NCAA Tournament. With four all-conference players returning, they look to capture the NEAC title and qualify for the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row.

Along with Cazenovia, the Lions will face tough conference opponents Penn State Abington and SUNY IT as well as several non-conference games against Juniata College, Haverford College and Philadelphia Biblical University.