Sept. 4, 2011
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) notched her first career hat trick and 20th in program history as Penn State women's soccer ran away from Pittsburgh, 3-0, at Ambrose Urbanic Field. The victory gave PSU its fifth straight overall and second straight tournament after taking the Penn State Invitational last week.
"Led by Maya's five goals on the weekend," head coach Erica Walsh said, "our team attack is improving every match and getting more and more comfortable with each other. Pitt put in a very solid effort today and proved to be tough to break down. I was proud of our mentality and patience today, as compared to Friday's match, and believe our positive attitude on the field as well as on the bench will serve us well going forward."
Hayes, who tallied two goals against N.C. State in Friday's 3-1 win, once again led the Nittany Lions (5-1-0) to victory. The win over the Panthers (1-3-2) was gave PSU an 8-0-0 record in the series as the two teams met in the regular season for the first time since 2002. Hayes was named the Pitt Soccer Classic's MVP for her five-goal weekend. Joining Hayes on the All-Tournament Team was Taylor Schram (Canonsburg, Pa.), Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) and Emma Thomson (Nottinghamshire, England).
Christine Nairn and Krissy Tribbett show off the Pitt Soccer Classic hardware. |
The hat trick by Hayes is the 20th by a Penn State women's soccer player and the first since Tani Costa (Honolulu, Hawaii) against Indiana (Oct. 28, 2010). Hayes has been on a tear lately, scoring eight goals in the past four games, nine overall for the entire season as the sophomore leads the Big Ten Conference, making a strong case as a repeat performer for the Offensive Player of the Week.
The victory also supplied Penn State with its 31st victory over Pennsylvania foes, continuing a 14-year unbeaten streak since its last loss (2-1 vs. Villanova in 1997). During the 14-year streak, PSU has gone 25-0-1. The Nittany Lions take on one more Keystone State foe, Bucknell, on Sept. 20 in Lewisburg, Pa.
Hayes scored 18 minutes into the first half off a through ball from Nairn. The All-American junior now has five assists of the season, leading the squad with fellow midfielder Jess Rosenbluth (Gladwyne, Pa.).
Hayes doubled the lead with a goal just 12 minutes from full time to put Penn State ahead, 2-0. Pittsburgh local Schram extended her point streak to five connecting with her running mate in Schram. Schram's helper was the fifth of the year as she matched Nairn and Rosenbluth.
Hayes then added another, this time a header in the 85th minute to secure the hat trick off a beautiful cross from freshman defender Kori Chapic (Novelty, Ohio). Chapic's assist was her first of her collegiate career and brought the Nittany Lions to 25 for the season off 18 goals. All of PSU's points have come after a season-opening shutout at No. 2 Stanford. Penn State has won five-straight non-conference regular season games since 2005.
Hayes and Illinois' Vanessa DiBernado were in a back-and-forth battle all day for the conference's leader in goals. Both entered Sunday with six goals on the year and Hayes pulled in front during the first half of the Pitt game. DiBernado then led Illinois on a comeback against Colorado, scoring two quick-strike goals in the second half to briefly go ahead, 8-7, in the one-on-one battle. Then Hayes did DiBernado one better, adding two more of her own late in the second half vs. Pitt, exiting the week with a 9-8 lead. Hayes also leads the conference in points with 19.
Penn State goalkeeper Erin McNulty (Winnipeg, Manitoba) earned her first complete shutout for the Blue and White after combining on four others to open the season. McNulty made two saves against the Panthers. McNulty's goals against average is 0.22 since the Stanford game, allowing one goal in 404:19.
The Nittany Lions dominated the Panthers in every statistical category, out-shooting Pitt, 28-3, tallying more shots on goal (16-2) and taking more corner kicks (6-2). Pitt's Kristine Rioux worked hard to keep PSU off the board, making 13 saves. PSU out-shot the Panthers 12-1 in the first half and 16-2 in the second.
Penn State returns to the field next week in its third straight tournament as it participates in the Virginia Nike Classic in Charlottesville. PSU takes on perennial Conference USA power Central Florida at 4:30 p.m. in Klockner Stadium. That match serves as a precursor for a special game on Sunday when Penn State tangles with No. 6 Virginia.
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--NITTANY LIONS--