Sept. 26, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The NIttany Lions got their campaign for an eleventh straight Big Ten championship off to a good start Friday night posting a 1-0 win over Indiana. No. 22 Penn State now improves to 6-4 (1-0) on the season while Indiana falls to 5-5 (0-1). The Nittany Lion squad had a few career firsts as redshirt freshman Meghan Gill (State College, Pa.) scored her first goal and freshman goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett (Centennial, Colo.) collected her first start and shutout.
Gill netted the lone goal of the game late in the first half. The midfielder chased down a bouncing ball and found her open shot 15 yards from the goal as she spun her shot inside the right post for her first collegiate score.
"Meghan was everything we needed tonight," said head coach Erica Walsh. "She showed heart and hustle, and has been exceptional in training the past few weeks. This goal was well deserved."
Penn State's defense stifled a determined Hoosier squad in the second half, blocking three of the Hoosiers' seven shot attempts. Indiana's Taylor Fallon fired a shot on the Penn State goal as Tribbett picked up the save. Indiana still wasn't going down without a fight and the Lions had to keep up with increased speed and more aggression as the clock began winding down.
"Krissy did a great job," said Walsh. "She's been working hard in training and really came through for us. Krissy and Meghan carried the team on their backs."
The Nittany Lions scattered 17 shots to Indiana's nine. Tribbett only needed to make one save as the PSU defense held Indiana to one shot on goal while Hoosier goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell picked up four. Penn State also took seven corner kicks throughout the contest compared to one by IU.
Penn State will return to Jeffrey Field Sunday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m. to meet with No. 4, Portland. Despite getting a break from the Big Ten schedule, this will be the Lions' third match of the season with a Top 5 opponent. The soccer team will be joining efforts with the WBCA in raising money for breast cancer research at the Pink Zone event. The first 200 fans will get a free T-shirt and donations will be accepted throughout the game.