Sept. 30, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The score was tied at 1-1 between Penn State and Indiana when head coach Erica Walsh noticed that her players were not putting forth the efforts that the Penn State faithful deserved on a beautiful afternoon at Jeffery Field.
However, the second half was where the game was decided, when Penn State picked up their intensity and strung together three unanswered scores to move their record to 9-1-1 overall and 3-0-0 in Big Ten play.
"I thought Indiana took it to us early and we just weren't ready mentally," said Walsh. "But, it was a tale of two halves. They had more desire in the first half and we played much better in the second half."
It looked as if the Lions were going to get off to another quick start, opening the scoring in the seventh minute when Kori Chapic sent a through pass to Emily Hurd down the left sideline. After a couple of touches, Hurd sent a crossing pass into the penalty box and Raquel Rodriguez headed it home from 10 yards out.
However, Indiana would answer with the equalizer in the 25th minute when Rebecca Candler crossed a ball from the right flank that skipped across the 18-yard box before Monica Melink healed it past Britt Eckstrom to knot the score at 1-1.
"It was a mentality thing for us today," said Hurd. "We weren't at our best in the first half, but we put a better performance together in the second half. Moving forward it is going to be about putting together a whole 90-minute performance."
Hurd's summation of the game was right on target.
After the initial score, the Hoosiers held the Nittany Lions offense in check for most of the rest of the first half, including a backline that frustrated the potent offensive weapons for Penn State.
The halftime speech from Walsh did its job, though, because the Lions came out on the attack in the second half.
"We talked about effort (at half time)," said Walsh. "When you come out on Jeffery Field, have a great crowd and a great day, you can't put in the type of performance we did in the first half. Our fans deserve more. We made a few tactical adjustments at half, but overall we just talked about our effort."
The effort showed early on, with the first goal of the second half coming in the 53rd minute. Again, Hurd set up the tally with her left foot. The junior crossed one into the box that found senior Tani Costa, who sent a rocket into the net that put the Blue and White in the lead for good.
Hurd followed with a goal of her own in the 59th minute when she dribbled up the left flank, took three touches to her right and struck a ball from the top of the 18-yard box that IU keeper Shannon Flower couldn't make a play on.
"We kind of go how Emily (Hurd) goes," said Walsh. "When she is playing well we are flying and she really came out to play in the second half."
The goal itself wasn't surprising, it was her second of the year, but the fact that it came off of her right foot was a little unusual. The Sammamish, Wash. native will be the first to admit that she likes going to her left foot, but she doesn't want to be a one-trick pony.
"It is no secret that I like to go left," said Hurd, "but I have been working really hard on my right foot. I saw the opportunity and just struck it well. I was excited because it is something I've been working on."
Hurd wasn't the only star, as the final goal of the game came from Hayes, who spent much of the first half frustrated and a lot of the second half pouring out most of her energy to help her team get into a position to win.
Hayes spent a little time on the outside of the front line, played a little in the midfield and assumed her position in the middle of the Lions attack, as well. Her hustle and effort is something that wasn't lost on her teammates.
"It gives all of us energy to see Maya work so hard on the field," said Costa. "When she is working hard, I don't think we can be stopped. She is the most forward player on the field, so everyone behind her sees her hard work and we just follow her lead."
Hayes made a lot of good plays that helped lead to goals by her teammates, even though she had no points to show for it until late in the contest.
"I took an approach of being a relentless defender in the second half," said Hayes. "I wanted to help make something happen that way. I just want to help our team win."
That something happened in the 82nd minute when Taylor Schram sent a long pass that Hayes controlled. She then beat two defenders and made her way to the middle of the 18-yard box, launching a shot past a diving Hoosier keeper for her 12th goal of the season.
The halftime adjustments were big for the Lions, but the efforts of Hayes and Hurd really led the Blue and White to the victory.
"I think Emily Hurd had the biggest day for us today with her goal and two assists, as well as her relentless defending," said Hayes. "When she has confidence like that she is unstoppable, just like she was today."
With Hayes and Hurd leading like they did on Sunday, the Nittany Lions will be hard to handle if they can put together a full 90 minutes.