WESTFIELD, Ind. – The No. 15, and top-seeded, Penn State women's soccer team advanced to the championship match of the 2018 Big Ten Tournament with a 1-0 win over the fifth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini Friday, Nov. 2, at Grand Park. The lone goal of the game was an own goal in the 67th minute.
"That was a really hard-fought battle," head coach Erica Dambach said. "Obviously Illinois had their share of big chances. I thought Amanda Dennis came up huge for us today and made some good plays. I think the ball from Kim Dubs, the one we ultimately scored on, we had chances, we had all sorts of chances, and a little fortuitous on the one that they put into the back of net, but I think it was because we were pushing and pressing."
The first 45 minutes of action saw the two teams combine for 15 shot attempts, but neither side was able to find the back of the net. Heading into the second half, Penn State (15-5-0) led Illinois (11-8-1) in shot attempts, 10-5.
The Nittany Lion offense came out of the gate in the second half with four shot attempts within the first eight minutes of action. For Illinois, Jaelyn Cunningham made saves on Charlotte Williams (46:02) and Marissa Sheva (51:53), while shots by Frankie Tagliaferri (49:58) and Shea Moyer (52:25) were blocked.
After making her first save of the game in the second minute of play, junior Amanda Dennis stepped up for three clutch saves within a four-minute span in the second half.
In the 56th minute, Dennis made a right-handed save on Kelly Maday and then dove to her left on a shot attempt from Katie Murray in the 59th minute. Dennis then made her fourth, and final, save of the day with a left-handed stop on Peyton Willie in the 60th minute.
On the game's lone goal, Kim Dubs, from the left side of the Illinois box, went to play the ball near the Illinois goal. With the ball in the air, an Illinois player deflected the ball into the back of the net giving Penn State the 1-0 lead at 66:28.
Following the goal, the Nittany Lion defense only allowed one more Illinois shot attempt, as a header by Arianna Veland went left of the net in the 72nd minute.
Penn State will face the seventh-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-8-1) for the 2018 Big Ten Tournament title on Sunday, Nov. 4, at Grand Park. The match will be aired live on the Big Ten Network at noon.
NOTES: Penn State leads the all-time series against Illinois, 28-4-0…Penn State outshot Illinois, 18-10…Penn State improves to 12-0-0 when scoring first this season…The Nittany Lions have recorded 11 shutouts in 2018, which includes three straight shutouts…Penn State advances to the Big Ten Tournament championship match for the third time in the past four seasons (2015, '17 & '18)…Emily Ogle played in her 95th career match...Dennis recorded her seventh solo shutout of the season…The Nittany Lions are now 33-11-5 all-time in Big Ten Tournament matches…The Nittany Lions are 8-5 in games decided by one goal in 2018...The Nittany Lions have won nine straight games.