Aug 24, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - When you look at the recent history between Penn State and West Virginia in women's soccer you would have expected a close match, but West Virginia raced out to an early two-goal lead on Friday (August 24) in front of a rowdy crowd at Jeffery Field.
That 2-0 lead had the Penn State faithful on the edge of their seats as the seconds ticked off the clock in the second half, but the Blue and White never panicked. They kept their focus on the attack and started to mount their comeback with under 10 minutes left in regulation.
"One thing the leaders on this team talk about all the time is keeping our heads up and keeping our eye on the things we need to do," said senior Maya Hayes. "For us to come back from a two-goal deficit shows our heart and pride."
The senior duo of Hayes and Taylor Schram got the scoring started for Penn State when Schram challenged a defender deep in the West Virginia's zone. After gaining control, Schram found Hayesand the duo broke away for a two-on-one with the keeper. Hayes used patience to hold the ball until the last moment and connected with Schram, who finished from 10 yards out in the 81st minutes.
It didn't take long for Penn State to strike with the equalizer and this time it was Hayes who found the back of the net in the 82nd minute to knot the score at 2-2.
"We have a lot of seniors on this team that have been in that situation and who have come back," said PSU women's soccer head coach Erica Walsh. "Of course you're nervous and you're trying to find solutions. We kept moving the pieces around until it worked and, in those last 10 minutes, I was really proud of this team"
Throughout the game you could see that there was no panic in Penn State's game, even when facing the two-goal deficit. Their demeanor was even throughout and the plan of attack is to keep with the system, just be a little more aggressive.
"For the backline it's about keeping your composure, but pushing up," said Hayes. "For the attackers, it's about being optimistic, chasing every ball down and not giving up on anything."
Penn State's resolve was apparent from the start when they allowed the opening goal to West Virginia in the fifth minute and then had Tani Costa's game-tying goal waved off due to an offside call in the 24th minute.
The game headed to overtime tied, 2-2, and just two minutes in Costa looked to have capped the comeback, but again her goal was erased by the dreaded offside call.
"Being down 2-0 at Jeffery Field really brought out the blue collar attitude in our team." said Costa. "We work hard to make sure we get what we want out of our plays and it's always heart breaking when (a goal) gets call back."
Watching two goals come off the scoreboard is heart breaking, but this team has been in these situations before and Walsh knows they have high standards and will improve after their season opening draw.
"This team has a high bar and has high standards this year," said Walsh, "and to give up two goals at Jeffery Field on our opening night with this type of crowd is not what we wanted to do. There is work to do from that standpoint, but at least it is just game one."
Game two is slated for Sunday, Aug. 25 at Noon vs. Hofstra on the pitch at Jeffery Field.
-NITTANY LIONS-