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PENN STATE


2012 RECORD: 9-6 (5-1 CAA) COACH: JEFF TAMBRONI (3RD YEAR)


NITTANY LIONS 14


Feb 9 at Michigan Feb 17 vs. Denver* Feb 24 Notre Dame Mar 2 Ohio State Mar 9 Lehigh** Mar 16 at UMass Mar 19 at Binghamton Mar 23 St. Joseph’s Mar 26 at Bucknell Mar 30 at Villanova Apr 6 Drexel Apr 13 Towson Apr 20 at Delaware Apr 27 at Hofstra


* at EverBank Field, Jacksonville ** at PPL Park, Philadelphia


There will be no more blowing with the wind, no more bouncing with every move, no more fl owing brown curls — they’re gone. Penn State goalkeeper


Austin Kaut has adopted a no-fl ow look for his junior season. The second-team All-American has started every game since his breakout freshman year for the Nittany Lions in 2011. Penn State coach Jeff Tambroni said Kaut has matured. “He’s learned a lot about how to lead the team,” Tambroni said. “He’s grown up a lot, especially this last semester.” Kaut, who led the nation in saves per game and save percentage as a freshman and ranked in the top 10 in both categories as a sophomore, will be counted on to lead a defensive unit that lost stalwart Ryan McGarvey. Penn State allowed just 8.13 goals per game in 2012. “The entire team knows how important he is as a goalie in regards to his save percentage and his ability to quarterback our clearing efforts,” Tambroni said. “He’s kind of the focal point of every goal or every play that’s made defensively.” Despite Kaut’s 58.4 save percentage and a 7.93 goals against average, Penn State fi nished just 9-6. Drexel halted the Nittany Lions’ fi ve-game winning streak in the CAA


semifi nals, and Penn State fell just short of an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Now it’s on Kaut to help Penn State make the leap, even as opponents discover his tendencies. “We’re going to have to do a better job continuing to keep shooters guessing,” Tambroni said. Kaut has been in Happy Valley for the duration of Tambroni’s tenure and has endured blowout losses to Villanova in 2011 and Denver in 2012, plus the disappointment of missing last year’s NCAA tournament. “He was there through it all, so it’s going to be important for him to talk to our younger guys, to kind of share those experiences and hope to pass on a little bit of a legacy of what he’s learned,” Tambroni said.


Kaut attracts attention not only for his eye-popping numbers but also his eye-popping maneuvers in goal. “He’s got a pretty fl amboyant style,” Tambroni said. “His heart is right on his sleeve.” Kaut has gotten better at managing his emotions — until he gets hot. Then it’s on, fl ow or no fl ow. With or without the long locks, Penn State will need Kaut to get hot and stay hot in 2013.


— Matthew DeFranks A Publication of US Lacrosse


Austin Kaut


 RIVAL COACHES SAY “Coach Tambroni’s system is almost fully in place. He may need another year to develop some of his young talent, but I would not rule out one of the best coaches in our game… Talented incoming freshman class. How fast will they develop will dictate how well Penn State fares early on.”


 TOP RETURNER G Austin Kaut (Jr.) The second-team All-


American has been a mainstay in the crease for the Nittany Lions, starting all 29 games since he arrived on campus two years ago. He should challenge Notre Dame’s John Kemp as the best goalie in the country.


 X-FACTOR A Jack Forster (R-Sr.) After winning an appeal


for a fi fth year at Penn State, Forster will have to replace Matt Mackrides (30 goals) as the top option. Forster, who has had two major knee surgeries, was named a team co-captain. “He is going to be the offensive leader on our team,” Tambroni said.


 PROJECTED STARTERS


A Jack Forster (R-Sr.)* G: 27 A: 15


A Shane Sturgis (Jr.) G: 19 A: 11


A Gavin Ahern (Jr.)* G: 13 A: 5


M Nick Dolik (Sr.) G: 18 A: 4


M Tom LaCrosse (Jr.) G: 9


A: 2


M Tommy O’Neill (Fr.) G: 26 A: 21 (at St. Augustine Prep)


FO Danny Henneghan (Sr.)* FO%: 50.9 GB: 62


LSM Kessler Brown (Jr.)* GB: 14 CT: 11


D Jack Donnelly (So.)* GB: 17 CT: 13


D Tyler Travis (R-Jr.)* GB: 8 CT: 9


D JP Burnside (So.) GB: 8 A: 9


G Austin Kaut (Jr.)* GAA: 7.93 SV%: 58.4


*returning starters  TELLING NUMBER


Shane Sturgis, a spark at midfi eld in the second half of last season, is back on attack, where he could be the remedy to Penn State’s offensive woes.


25.8 Shooting


ranked 52nd. “It was one of the worst things we did,” Tambroni said. “There’s no magic formula.” February 2013 >> LACROSSE MAGAZINE 43


percentage in 2012, which


©KEVIN P. TUCKER (AK, SS); ©JOHN STROHSACKER (JT)


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