Oct. 30, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - SENIOR NIGHT
The Penn State women's soccer team and coaching staff would like to extend a very special congratulations to the four seniors on the squad. Kaleen Adami, Zoe Bouchelle, Allie Daus and Jessie Davis will be recognized in a ceremony prior to kickoff. Thank you for your years of service, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
SETTING THE SCENE
After capturing back-to-back 2-0 wins over Illinois and Purdue last weekend, the Nittany Lions have secured at least a share of their 11th consecutive Big Ten crown. Ohio State will enter Jeffrey Field 7-9-2 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten after losses to Purdue, 3-0, and Illinois, 2-0.
CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN
Throughout the entire season the Penn State women's soccer team has had a target on its back. That's what happens when you control the conference for 10 consecutive years. Everyone on the team felt the pressure to get number 11, and just as in the past, it came down to the last few games. With a pair of 2-0 victories last weekend, the Nittany Lions have claimed at least a share of the elusive 11th Big Ten title. A tie with Ohio State on Friday will get them sole posession. A Penn State loss and a Minnesota victory will split the crown. Although the Lions are thrilled to continue their dynasty, there is still more work to be done as the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments aproach.
PENN STATE IN THE BIG TEN
As a team, the Nittany Lions remain second in the Big Ten for shots and shots per game at 320 and 16.84. Penn State is still second in goals and goals per game with 34 and 1.79. The team is tied for second in shutouts with eight.
Second team All-American Katie Schoepfer still leads the conference in shots and shots per game at 82 and 4.32. She is also third in goals with ten. Danielle Toney is still holding steady at sixth in assists with seven.
First team All-American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher dropped to second in saves with 75, but still holds the top spot in saves per game at 4.41. She is also fourth in shutouts with five.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
The Nittany Lions have been a force throughout the 2008 campaign. This past weekend they claimed at least a share of their 11th consecutive Big Ten title and with at least a tie on Friday they will win the crown outright. They have put up 320 shots and scored 34 goals while the defense has only allowed 48 corner kicks. The goalkeepers have combined for 80 saves and a goals against average of 1.05.
The dynamic duo of Katie Schopefer and Danielle Toney lead the Penn State offense. Schoepfer has scored 10 goals and tallied seven assists while Toney has netted seven shots and contributed seven assists.
The back line of Jessie Davis (Fairfax, Va.) and Maura Ryan (Doylestown, Pa.) has held conference opponents nearly scoreless only allowing three goals in Big Ten play. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has collected 75 saves and is credited with five of the Lions 10 shutouts.
LAST YEAR AGAINST OHIO STATE
Then-No. 7 Penn State won its 10th consecutive Big Ten women's soccer championship with a 1-0 victory at Ohio State to cap off the 9-1 championship season. Sophomore Katie Schoepfer scored the gamewinner in the 78th minute off an assist from Melissa Hayes (Cave Creek, Ariz.) to lift the Nittany Lions to victory. Sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded her ninth shutout of the year to preserve the win.
Schoepfer was the difference in the second half, taking a team-high eight shots on the night including four on-frame in addition to her second-half goal. Sophomore transfer Hayes found Schoepfer, who after a collision with aggressive Buckeye goalkeeper Lauren Robertson was able to convert the goal in a relatively open net.
Naeher, who entered the night seventh in the nation in save percentage improved her season-long number to .896 and has a 0.52 goals against average after the shutout.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes will enter Jeffrey Field 7-9-2 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten. OSU has put up 237 shots throughout the season scoring 25 goals. The goalkeepers have combined for 71 saved while the defense has contributed to four shutouts.
The top scorer for Ohio State is Paige Maxwell with seven goals and two assists. Not far behind in Lisa Collison with six goals and two assists.
Penn State will have to work through defenders Danielle Scoliere and Lauren Steuer to score. Netminder Lauren Robertson has collected 57 saves and a 1.42 goals-against average.
Ohio State is in a three-way tie for fifth place and is looking to secure a spot in the Big Ten Tournament.
Friday will be the 17th meeting between the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions. Penn State leads the series 12-4.