The news sent tremors throughout the Penn State community: Several branch campuses would close in a cost-cutting measure by the university system.

Penn State New Kensington is one of those campuses. Founded in 1958, the branch will cease to operate after the 2026-27 academic year.

As bleak as that news was, members of the PSNK men’s soccer team haven’t let it affect their preparations for the 2025 season.

“It’s been pretty good,” coach Mark Duffield said. “No one has left, and the big focus now is on the season and just kind of thinking about the season ahead.”

The afterglow of a historic 2024 season probably went a long way in keeping the returning players going. Much of the roster that helped the Lions earn the program’s first victory in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament returns.

“Mark sent out a text to us saying that we’re going to go out with a bang,” said rising junior forward Ethan Krystek (Kiski Area). “I think a lot of guys were thinking that way, too. I see a lot of people lifting a lot and working out a lot, so I think a lot of guys are really motivated this season.”

PSNK went 6-2-1 in the Penn State University Athletic Association last season, losing in the conference semifinals to Penn State Lehigh Valley. Despite that loss, the Lions still received an invitation to nationals, and the team is loaded to, perhaps, eclipse last season’s highlights.

The top six goal scorers return: Carson Zadylak (Norwin) and Finn Bethurum had eight goals each, Krystek and James “Lenny” Duncan (Penn Hills) had seven each, Jayson Ireland (Burrell) had five and Louis Negron (North Allegheny) had four.

Duncan produced seven goals and four assists despite being limited to nine matches because of injuries. He had a goal and an assist in PSNK’s national tournament victory over Paul Smith’s College. Ireland netted the game-winner.

Keeper Kenton Knox (Trinity Christian) also returns after starting 20 of the Lions’ 21 matches last season. He will be a captain.

“We’re only losing a couple of people (who graduated), and I think the returners are all really good players,” Krystek said. “I’m really excited.”

Bethurum, a native of Oceanside, Calif., is a unique talent. A rangy, 6-foot-4 center back by trade, he isn’t shy about getting into the attack, as evidenced by his eight goals. He was the school’s male athlete of the year for 2024-25 and a USCAA first-team All-American.

None of Duffield’s defenders, in fact, are hesitant to push the ball forward. Rising senior fullback Dylan Shaw (Peters Township) and rising sophomore fullback Luke Guerrini (Burrell) contributed offensively last season, with Guerrini scoring a goal and Shaw producing five assists.

Shaw also earned second-team USCAA All-American honors.

So despite the obvious cloud hanging over the future of the campus, the men’s soccer team is focused on the positives of what could be another historic season. Duffield said a PSUAC title and another trip to nationals are well within reach.

“I would say the motivation is there,” he said. “We had a good number of freshmen come in last year, and now they’ve got that experience under their belt, playing big games … playing in the national championship (tournament). These guys have a lot of potential.”

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