UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 23 Penn State women's soccer team opens Big Ten play on Thursday, September 19 and Sunday, September 22 against Michigan and Michigan State. The Nittany Lions are chasing their 20th Big Ten championship in program history.
FOLLOW ALONG
Michigan
Thursday, Sept. 19
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LIVE STATS
Michigan State
Sunday, Sept. 22
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LIVE STATS
TALL TASK
The Nittany Lions boasted one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country to begin the season. Three of the Nittany Lions first eight opponents were ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll at the time of their games These opponents included: No. 3 Stanford, No. 4 Virginia and No. 23 West Virginia. The Nittany Lions also met an unbeaten Oklahoma State squad during their non-conference schedule. The Cowgirls are now ranked 25th in the latest USC poll.
Penn State continually faces ranked opponents throughout its 26-year history. The Nittany Lions have played at least four ranked opponents in each of the past 24 seasons.
WOLVERINES AND SPARTANS
The Wolverines enter Thursday's matchup with a 5-2 record and winners of their last two games. Sarah Stratigakis leads the Wolverines with three goals and three assists. Stratigakis was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week in the Big Ten on September 17. Junior goalkeeper Hillary Beall also earned Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week for her performances.
The Spartans are off to a hot start, sporting a 7-1 record and three straight wins. The lone loss of the season game at the hands of the Butler Bulldogs on September 5. Gia Wahlberg currently leads the Big Ten with eight goals. Michigan State travels to Ohio State on Thursday, September 19 to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State before traveling to Happy Valley.
Last season, the Nittany Lions were a perfect 3-0 against Michigan and Michigan State. Penn State defeated both teams during the regular season and bested Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Penn State is 23-4-7 against Michigan in the series history and holds a 21-5-0 series advantage over Michigan State.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Penn State has defended its home turf impressively since the programs beginnings in 1994. Overall, Penn State has a 244-33-13 record at Jeffrey Field. In conference play, the Nittany Lions hold a 111-7-6 record at the friendly confines of Jeffrey Field.
FINDING THE NET
Redshirt freshman Ally Schlegel has collected three weekly All-Big Ten awards so far this season. Schlegel was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and twice named the Big Ten Freshman of the week.
Ally Schlegel has scored in six consecutive games for the Nittany Lions. This is the fourth-longest streak in Penn State women's soccer history. Tiffany Weimer holds the Penn State record with 17 straight games with a goal during the 2005.
DRIVE FOR 20
Penn State pursues its 20th Big Ten Championship in program history. Penn State has claimed 14 more Big Ten titles than the next closest conference institution. For the 16th consecutive year, Penn State was chosen by Big Ten coaches as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten.
For more information on Penn State women's soccer, visit gopsusports.com.
