Oct. 10, 2008
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
The No. 23 Nittany Lions improved to 9-5 on the season and 4-0 in the Big Ten after a convincing 4-0 victory over Michigan Friday afternoon. The Wolverines now fall to 3-7-4 and 0-3-2 in conference play. Nittany Lion goals were scored by redshirt senior Zoe Bouchelle (Cockeysville, Md.), sophomore Megan Monroig (Northumberland, Pa.), and junior Katie Schoepfer (Waterford, Conn.) added two. This is the second time in as many games that Schoepfer has scored two goals.
"We had good control tonight and took care of business early," said head coach Erica Walsh. "The subs kept the playing level high and the pressure was continued in the second half."
Penn State took control quickly in the first half while the defense clamped down on Michigan limiting them to three shots. The Nittany Lions were relentless on the attack putting up 15 shots in the first half, nearly averaging their shot percentage for the season.
The first goal came in the 20th minute of play off the foot of Bouchelle. Freshman midfielder Jess Rosenbluth moved the ball down the field and connected a perfect cross with Bouchelle who then sent the ball sailing past Wolverine keeper Madison Gates.
Monroig had some bad luck looking for the back of the net as Gates came down with some big saves, but her persistence paid off as she got her first goal of the season 15 minutes after Bouchelle. Monroig maintained control of the ball as she sped down the field and maneuvered around a defender placing her shot in the right corner of the net to bring the score to 2-0.
Schoepfer's second half against Michigan proved similar to her first half against Wisconsin as she netted two goals within the first six minutes. In the 47th minute, a ball flew above the Wolverine goal box as three defenders collided. Schoepfer was easily able to take control and send the ball past the diving keeper. Three and a half minutes later, Schoepfer blasted a shot from 15 yards out over the outstretched arms of Kristen Keane for her team leading eighth goal of the season.
Throughout the game Penn State scattered 24 shots while the defense limited Michigan to five. All-American keeper Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.) collected two saves for her third shutout while Gates and Keane combined for eight. The Nittany Lions will continue their journey toward an 11th Big Ten Championship in Lansing, Mich. for a match-up with the Michigan State Spartans at noon on Sunday. This game will mark the half-way point in the conference season.