UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. –In what was the final game running out at Jeffrey Field for the women's soccer seniors, the class led Penn State offensively with four goals as they helped No. 14 Penn State defeat Bowling Green, 4-1, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Seniors Emily Ogle, Alina Ortega Jurado, Marissa Sheva and Charlotte Williams all found the back of the net in the victory over the Mid-American Conference champions.
"It's so appropriate for this class," said head coach Erica Dambach, who registered her 200th career win at Penn State Friday. "These guys wear their hearts on their sleeves and I want the world for them. I'm so happy to be able to continue on and get another week with these guys."
"Anytime you step on Jeffrey Field, it's one of those things that's hard to put into words," Williams said of playing her last game on her home field. "Being our last game on Jeffrey and getting a win in the tournament, it's amazing. It was a great team win."
Williams helped ignite the Blue & White offensively in the first half, as she connected on a shot outside the box to put her team up 1-0 in the 10th minute.
"Char kept her shots on frame, making the goalie make saves, and doing things we've been asking her to do all season long," Dambach said about Williams.
To add to her impressive performance, Williams put a very well-placed cross in the box that was beautifully finished by Ortega Jurado, who's first goal of the season helped Penn State go up 2-0 just 14 minutes into the match.
"I just thought to get to the near post and get a cross from someone, and just get a toe, a shin, or something on it," said Ortega Jurado, a native of Waldgirmes, Germany. "I was just trying to redirect it so I'm just happy it went in."
Sheva then scored her third goal of the season on a set piece to give the Nittany Lions a 3-1 lead in the 65th minute. Just six minutes later, fellow senior midfielder Ogle added to the senior class going-away party, as she finished a penalty kick to make the score 4-1.
Dambach was pleased with how her team performed, especially her fourth-year student-athletes, who played important roles in their careers at Penn State, including the program's 2015 National Championship winning team.
"I'm really proud of our team tonight," Dambach said. "…I think we continued to battle and we had four seniors put balls in the back of the net, which is awesome to be on Jeffrey Field and experience that."
Dambach went on to talk about her milestone win in what has been a great tenure at Penn State.
"It means I'm old," Dambach joked. "I've been here for twelve years, and I've surrounded myself with amazing people, amazing staff and players. Each one of these wins is special, particularly tonight. Every time you get an NCAA Tournament win, it's important. I'm just really thankful for the people I've been around during my time here."
Dambach, Penn State, and its senior class will look to continue their success as they play South Carolina in the next round of the NCAA Tournament.