UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With only four matches remaining in the 2018 regular season, Penn State women's soccer (9-5-0, 5-2-0 Big Ten) hosts Maryland (4-7-4, 2-4-1 Big Ten) and No. 21 Rutgers (9-1-4, 5-0-2 Big Ten) this weekend at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions take on Maryland on Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. before closing out the weekend against Rutgers on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can watch Friday's match for free on GoPSUsports.com. Sunday's match will be aired live on the Big Ten Network with Mike Monaco (play-by-play) and Jackie Manny (analyst) on the call.
ATTENDING JEFFREY FIELD
Admission for women's soccer regular season events are free. Fans are reminded that there is a no bag policy in place on stadium grounds. Parking on the grass lots will not be available, fans are asked to park in Stadium West. Due to the Homecoming Parade and a men's hockey game, please visit GoPSUsports.com for updated parking information.
LOOKING AT MARYLAND
The Maryland Terrapins enter the weekend with an overall record of 4-7-4 and a Big Ten record of 2-4-1.
Last week, Maryland dropped a 1-0 contest to Illinois (Oct. 4) before recording a 2-1 win over then-No. 14 Northwestern (Oct. 7).
Offensively for the Terrapins, Jarena Harmon leads the team in points (12) and goals (six), while Hope Lewandoski leads the team in assists (three).
In net, Rachel Egyed has started 12 of 15 matches for Maryland. On the year, Egyed has made 63 saves, a save percentage of .818, a goals-against average of 1.09, allowed 14 goals and has recorded three solo shutouts.
PENN STATE VS. MARYLAND
Friday's match marks the 16th meeting between the two programs. Penn State leads the all-time series, 11-4-0.
Last season, Penn State defeated Maryland, 1-0, in overtime, in College Park, Maryland.
LOOKING AT RUTGERS
The No. 21 Rutgers Scarlet Knights enter the weekend with an overall record of 9-1-4 and a Big Ten record of 5-0-2. Prior to traveling to Penn State on Sunday, Oct. 14, No. 21 Rutgers heads to Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 12.
Offensively for the Scarlet Knights, Amirah Ali, the 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, leads the team in points (23) and goals (10). Last week, Ali recorded back-to-back golden goals in overtime wins against then-No. 14 Northwestern (Oct. 4) and Illinois (Oct. 7).
Along with Ali, Nicole Whitley, the 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, has chipped in 11 points on two goals and seven assists.
In net, Meagan McClelland has played every minute in 2018. On the year, McClelland has made 35 saves, a goals-against average of 0.65, a save percentage of .778, allowed 10 goals, and has posted six solo shutouts.
PENN STATE VS. RUTGERS
Sunday's match marks the 20th meeting between Penn State and Rutgers. Penn State leads the all-time series, 9-6-4.
The two teams met twice in 2017 with both matches ending in a 0-0 draw.
In the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, Penn State defeated Rutgers in penalty kicks, 4-3.
STRIKE FIRST
Penn State has been very successful when scoring the first goal over the past few seasons. When scoring first, Penn State is 101-3-5 since the start of the 2012 season.
BIG TEN STANDINGS
With only two weekends remaining in the 2018 Big Ten regular season, Penn State is currently tied for second with 15 points.
Rutgers leads the table with 17 points followed by Penn State and Wisconsin with 15 points apiece. Nebraska is fourth in the standings with 14 points.
TOP OFFENSE
The Nittany Lions boast one of the top offenses in the nation over the past few seasons.
Heading into the Maryland match, Penn State has scored 433 goals since the start of the 2011 season, which ranks third in the nation.
Virginia leads the nation in goals scored since the start of 2011 with 485 followed by Stanford with 443 (Stats courtesy of the Virginia Sports Information Office).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Nittany Lions boast an all-time record of 237-29-13 at Jeffrey Field and in Big Ten conference matches, Penn State is 108-7-6.
Since the start of the 2011 season, Penn State owns a record of 77-9-7 at Jeffrey Field.
Penn State opened the 2018 season with 3,126 fans against then-No. 9 West Virginia, which is the No. 8 crowd in program history at Jeffrey Field.
SECOND HALF TEAM
Halftime adjustments have paid dividends for the Nittany Lions in 2018.
Offensively, Penn State has scored 17 goals in the second half of regulation compared to nine goals in the first half.
Additionally, Penn State has recorded 119 shots in the final 45 minutes of regulation compared to 99 shots in the first 45 minutes.
Defensively, Penn State has allowed nine goals during the first half of play, while it has allowed only one goal in the second half of regulation.
UP NEXT
Penn State begins the final week of Big Ten regular season play at Indiana (Oct. 18 - 7:30 p.m.).
Following the match at Indiana, Penn State returns home to Jeffrey Field to host Minnesota in its regular season finale (Oct. 21 - 1 p.m.).