Aug. 31, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team ran into a patient Connecticut Huskies squad on Monday, but prevailed 3-2 in comeback fashion on Monday afternoon at Jeffrey Field. Christine Nairn's 79th minute goal was her first collegiate tally and proved to be the game-winner.
With No. 8/10 Penn State (2-1-0) down 2-1 with 22 minutes remaining, head coach Erica Walsh looked down her bench for options in order to turn the match around. Walsh inserted Nikki Watts and Ali Schaefer for an offensive spark, and it paid off.
Just seven minutes later, Ali Schaefer sent a beautiful cross over the UConn (0-2-0) defense to Watts who was alone on the left wing. Watts settled, took a dribble and slotted the ball home on the far post to knot the game up at two apiece in the 76th minute.
Penn State continued the pressure as Schaefer had a shot saved by UConn goalkeeper Jessica Dulski (10 saves). On the next trip down the field, Danielle Toney sent a long swinging cross from the right wing over to Watts. After controlling it, Watts chipped it to Nairn who was stationed 10 yards from the net and redirected the ball into the far post for the game-winner 12 minutes short of full time.
The Nittany Lions scored a season high three goals to extend their winning streak over the Huskies to eight, but they could've had more. Penn State out-shot the Huskies 30-6 overall, and 13-5 for shots on goal.
Although the Lions didn't capitalize on their opportunities, Connecticut certainly did. Just 2:36 into the game, Jessica Shufelt took a redirected rebound at near the top of the 18-yard area and touched it home for the early 1-0 lead.
A Toney and Katie Schoepfer connection on a give-and-go play for Toney's second goal of the year 15 minutes into the game, the half ended knotted at one apiece. PSU held a 14-3 advantage in shots at halftime.
Penn State continued to pepper the net, but couldn't get the go-ahead tally and UConn used its counterattack to keep PSU off guard. Connecticut's Lauren Ebert sent a long ball over the top of the Nittany Lion defense as Elise Fugowski received the ball and went in on a one-on-one for the goal, her first of the year at 56:32.
Alyssa Naeher made three saves in goal for the Nittany Lions, upping her record to 2-1.
Penn State improved to 8-0-1 over UConn all-time, while also picked its record up to 16-1-1 when Toney records a goal. Toney leads the team with six points (2G, 2A) this season. The Lions held a 10-2 advantage on corner kicks, while UConn committed eight fouls to PSU's one.
The Nittany Lions will return to action on Friday when they travel to No. 5/5 Florida State for a 7:00 p.m. match in Tallahassee. Penn State will return home on Sunday, September 6 for a 1:00 p.m. showdown with Rutgers.
Penn State Invitational Central: gopsusports.com/sports/w-soccer/psuinvite09.html.
For complete coverage of all the Nittany Lion women's soccer this season, go to www.GoPSUsports.com/sports/w-soccer.
Follow Penn State women's soccer on Twitter: @PSUWomensSoccer
--NITTANY LIONS--