South Side goalie Josh Levine reacts as time runs out...

South Side goalie Josh Levine reacts as time runs out against Great Neck North in the Nassau Class A boys soccer semifinal on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

South Side’s Josh Levine has committed to Penn State’s men’s soccer program, he and Cyclones coach Fred Paul said.

The Newsday All-Long Island goalkeeper chose the Nittany Lions over more than 10 NCAA Division I programs.

“I’m extremely thrilled,” said Levine, who led South Side to the Nassau Class A title in 2014 and posted six shutouts in an 11-1-5 campaign this past season.

Levine said his sister, Lindsey, graduated from Penn State last spring. His connection to the school through her played a factor, he said, as did Penn State’s Big Ten membership and its reputation for developing keepers under Bob Warming, a former goalie who ranks third among active NCAA Division I coaches with 441 wins, according to Penn State’s athletics website.

“They call themselves ‘Goalkeeper U’ because they pay a lot of attention to goalies,” Levine said. “I know it’s a place where I will be able to develop.”

Though Penn State missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015, the program has an illustrious history. The Nittany Lions have won 11 national titles and have reached the NCAA Tournament 32 times. Since joining the Big Ten for the 1991 season, they have won five conference championships.

The NCAA prohibits its coaches from commenting on student-athletes who have not signed a National Letter of Intent. Levine said he plans on submitting his NLI on Feb. 3, the first day of signing week.

FLASH SALE

$1 FOR ONE YEAR

Unlimited Digital Access

SUBSCRIBE NOW >>Cancel anytime - new subscribers only