Oct. 12, 2017
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In a contest that featured a pair of U.S. U-20 Women's National Team goalkeepers donning their college kits, the No. 13 Penn State women's soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Thursday night at Yurcak Field.
Following Thursday's contest, Penn State is now 9-3-2 on the year and 5-1-2 in Big Ten action, while Rutgers sits at 9-2-4 overall and 3-2-3 in Big Ten play.
Looking to strike first, Rutgers' Colby Ciarrocca put a shot on goal from close-range during the 23rd minute, but Nittany Lion goalkeeper Rose Chandler (Atlanta, Ga.) made a diving save to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
The two teams went to halftime tied at 0-0 with Rutgers leading Penn State in shots, 7-4.
During the final moments of regulation, the Penn State offense recorded a pair of corner kicks, but the Rutgers defense stepped up to keep the Nittany Lions off the scoreboard. The first corner kick featured a Nittany Lion header towards goal, but a Scarlet Knight was there to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.
The second half of regulation featured the Nittany Lions edging the Scarlet Knights in shot attempts, 5-4.
Defender Ellie Jean (Coventry, Conn.) made a key block on a shot attempt from Adora Moneme during the 105th minute of action. On the play, Moneme made her way into the Nittany Lion penalty area and fired a shot on goal, but Jean was there to block the shot attempt.
With the clock ticking down on the night, midfielder Emily Ogle (Strongsville, Ohio) put a shot on goal from distance, but Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy stepped up for her second save of the night.
In net, Chandler finished with three saves on the night for her fifth solo shutout, while Murphy recorded two saves for Rutgers to record her 11th shutout of the season.
The Nittany Lions close out their weekend road trip with an afternoon contest at Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 15. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. start at Ludwig Field.
NOTES: Penn State leads the series against Rutgers, 9-6-3...Rutgers outshot Penn State, 13-11...Penn State recorded its eighth shutout of the season, including six against Big Ten competition.