April 14, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team completed its successful spring slate last Wednesday, turning in a 1-0 victory over in-state foe Saint Francis (Pa.) to finish the training season undefeated. The Nittany Lions posted a 4-0-1 record and did not concede a single goal against tough competition that included NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) member Sky Blue FC, 2013 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Saint Francis (Pa.) and St. John's and regional rival Pitt.
"I have been thrilled with the effort and attitude of the team this off season," said PSU women's soccer head coach Erica Walsh. "As result, feel we made tremendous gains on the field. The players' commitment to their strength and conditioning has the leaders of the team discussing and increasing the standards for the 2014 season. Overall the team was well prepared to compete against a very good pro team in Sky Blue as well as against some of the best programs in the region."
Freshman standout Mallory Weber (Novi, Mich.) continued her success from the fall, scoring five of PSU's eight goals while Corey Persson (Danvers, Mass.) contributed two goals and Kindrah Kohne (Homer, N.Y.) added one. Redshirt junior Emily Hurd (Sammamish, Wash.) led the squad in assists with two.
PENN STATE 1, PITT 0
A late first half goal from Persson was all the fuel the Nittany Lions needed to defeat Pitt, 1-0, in the spring opener at Holuba Hall on March 1. The sophomore netted her first goal of the spring in the 45th minute of action with the help of teammate Teddy Chase (Wayne, Pa.), who earned the assist. The PSU defense held up throughout the second half to keep the Panthers off the board and ensure the victory for the Blue and White.
PENN STATE 0, SKY BLUE FC 0
Penn State battled Sky Blue FC to a scoreless draw in the Lions' toughest competition of the spring at the Newark Academy in Livington, N.J. on March 23. Goalkeepers Britt Eckerstrom (Germantown, Md.) and Meghan Kaminski (Doylestown, Pa.) led the PSU defense, combining for a total of nine saves. The Blue and White also had a chance to compete against former teammate and All-American Maya Hayes, who made her second start of the preseason in the exhibition match.
PENN STATE 2, VILLANOVA 0
The Nittany Lions returned to Holuba Hall on March 29 to claim a 2-0 victory over the Wildcats of Villanova. Weber led the charge for the Blue and White, netting both goals. The Novi, Mich. product notched her first goal in the 13th minute, scoring on an assist from newcomer Katy Keen (Zionsville, Ind.), before extending the lead to 2-0 later in the match.
PENN STATE 4, ST. JOHN'S 0
PSU turned in a dominant performance against St. John's at Jeffrey Field on April 5, overpowering the Red Storm, 4-0. After a scoreless first half, the Nittany Lions switched into high gear to produce four second half goals. Weber sparked offensive strike with back-to-back goals, scoring the first on a pass from Hurd in the 54th minute before knocking another one in, unassisted, three minutes later. Kohne added another unassisted goal in the 70th minute and Persson capped the scoring in the 81st minute with her second goal of the spring, sending one in on an assist from Raquel Rodriguez (San Jose, Costa Rice.
PENN STATE 1, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 0
The Nittany Lions closed out the spring on April 9 at Jeffrey Field with a 1-0 win over Saint Francis (Pa.). Weber continued to pace the PSU offense, posting the lone goal of the game in the 14th minute of play on another Hurd assist. Penn State's defensive unit took care of the rest, shutting down yet another offense to secure the victory.
The Blue and White return 8-of-11 starters from last year's NCAA second round team, including Weber, Hurd, Eckerstrom, Rodriguez, Kori Chapic (Novelty, Ohio), Brittany Basinger (Purcellville, Pa.), Whitney Church (Ashburn, Va.), and Salina Williford (Wayne, Pa.). A strong leadership group was also established during the spring season which includes Hurd, Kohne, Chapic, Weber and Eckerstrom.
The 2014 fall schedule will be released later this spring.