UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In a first half that featured a combined three shots on goal between two of the top three teams in the Big Ten, scoring chances were most certainly hard to come by Sunday afternoon versus No. 21 Rutgers at Jeffrey Field. Penn State needed someone to step up in a big way in the second half, and they got just that in the play of Frankie Tagliaferri and Marissa Sheva.
The duo helped spark the Nittany Lions offensive attack as sophomore forward Tagliaferri split the Rutgers defense with a nice pass and found senior midfielder Sheva open in the box, leading to Penn State's first and only score of the contest in the 48th minute for a 1-0 win.
"Great goal by Marissa Sheva, whose been working and really been the heart and soul of this team for a long time," head coach Erica Dambach said. "For her to get one today for the game winner is very fitting."
For Sheva, her first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time. Not only did she break the deadlock between the two squads in what was a very defensive game, but in doing so she also helped Penn State pass Rutgers in the standings to take sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
"I'm just happy to come away with a big win against Rutgers and give us a little bit of a lead in the Big Ten right now," Sheva said.
Tagliaferri, who dished out her fourth assist on the season, had some extra motivation to play well in Sunday's showdown with the Scarlet Knights. The health & human development major grew up in Colts Neck, New Jersey, not far from Rutgers University. She also played for members of Rutgers coaching staff during club soccer growing up.
"I love Frankie. She drove us today, to be honest," Dambach said of Tagliaferri, who ranks second on the team with 16 points. "I thought she really went after it. Obviously (Rutgers) is near her hometown, these coaches were her club coaches. It was important for her to put in a good performance. I thought she really worked hard and gave us energy."
Tagliaferri was close to adding a goal to her tally, as well, as she made a run down the left sideline and a dribbled by a few defenders before having her shot blocked in what was a very impressive save by the Rutgers' goalie.
Coach Dambach seemed pleased with the play of the Blue and White, who now control their own destiny in the Big Ten with just two games remaining in the regular season following their five-game winning streak.
"It's been a battle and obviously it feels great," Coach Dambach said about taking over first place in the Big Ten. "We've had to work for it and that's how you want it to be. I love the direction the league is going. It's getting more and more challenging and we're going to have to learn to grind. This team has learned some hard lessons and I think once you start to come out the other side of it, you start hitting those strides."
"I'm really proud of our team today," she continued. "We defended Jeffrey Field, got the shutout."
Penn State will look to continue its hot stretch as they will travel to Bloomington, Indiana, to take on the Hoosiers Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
