Sep 9, 2013
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- As Taylor Schram darted towards the net, she saw the ball coming her way and immediately felt her heart begin to race.
With the Penn State women's soccer team deadlocked in scoreless match against Boston University eight minutes into the second half, the senior forward knew this was an opportunity she had to take advantage of.
"Being tied at that point in the game is really nerve racking because every chance matters," said Schram. "All I was thinking was don't miss."
The senior forward would come through, one timing a beautiful cross from sophomore Mallory Weber to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish.
Afterwards, head coach Erica Walsh couldn't have been prouder of the effort her squad gave en route to their first shut out of the season.
"I think that the second half was our best half of soccer so far this year," said Walsh. "The energy was fantastic and it was just a fun night of soccer."
After a first half in which Walsh felt her team was outhustled by Boston, the reigning National Coach of the Year challenged her team to turn up the heat coming out of intermission.
The response from the team would turn out to be exactly what she was looking for, with the Nittany Lions taking control and outshooting the Terriers, 8-3, in the second half.
"I think we played good soccer in the first half but that they out-battled us," said Walsh. "I told our team at halftime it was going to take heart and drive to break (Boston) down and we did it."
Schram, whose game-winning goal brought her season total to three, agreed that the team's effort in the second half was a major positive.
She also gave credit of her goal to Weber and Raquel Rodriguez, who between them created the play with their slick passing.
"Raquel played a nice ball to Mallory and she did all of the work from there," said Schram. "From that point I just had to tap it in."
That play was just the tip of the iceberg for Weber, who had both her coaches and teammates raving about her after the game.
Between her all out hustle and her tenacity on both sides of the field, Walsh stated that she felt bad for the BU players that had to deal with the Novi, Mich. native.
"If I was a defender playing against Mallory Weber, I would be in tears at the end of the game," said Walsh. "She's tough as nails and she just tortures you."
Schram would also chime in on the subject, admitting that she couldn't be happier to have Weber as a teammates and not an opponent.
"Mallory gets this look in her eye and you can tell that the defenders are worried," said Schram. "She's a bull out there and she puts her whole heart into every single play."
Weber, who created numerous chances throughout the game, couldn't help but laugh at her teammate's praises.
For the second year forward, it all just comes down to pushing herself and giving her full effort at all times.
"I think it's just my work ethic and playing for everyone around me," said Weber. "I always want to work hard for the girls on the bench because I know they'd be giving it everything they had if they were out there."
Apart from Weber, the biggest stars of the game for Penn State were their defenders, who prevented Boston from tying the game and stymied their opportunities time and time again.
Out of the bunch, the biggest standouts were freshmen Brittany Basinger and Salina Williford, who impressed their veteran teammates with decision-making mature beyond their years.
"I would think that the two of them are fifth years seniors with the composure that they play with," said Schram. "They played huge and they were big time tonight."
Another thing that Walsh and her player could agree on was that the true MVPs were the 1,556 fans that came out in full force and kept the decibel level high all night.
"The crowd was unbelievable tonight," said Walsh. "When we pulled into the lot we could already feel the energy and it was awesome."
The Nittany Lions begin a stretch of three road game on Tuesday, Sept. 14 when they travel to Bucknell.