UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 8 Penn State women's soccer team overcame a early deficit to defeat James Madison 2-1 on Sunday. Junior Frankie Tagliaferri and redshirt freshman Ally Schlegel scored their fourth goals of the season in the 2-1 victory.
RECAP
It didn't take long for James Madison Dukes to take the early advantage over the Nittany Lions. Off of a long throw in, the ball bounced around in the Nittany Lions box before finding the foot of Claire Meiser. Meiser volleyed a shot into the bottom right corner of the net to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead just 42 seconds into the game.
The early goal proved to be a wake up call for the Nittany Lions who found their footing following the early goal. Ally Schlegel attempted to get the Nittany Lions on the scoreboard in the fourth minute of action. Her shot was off the mark and the deficit remained 1-0.
Three minutes later, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kat Asman made her first save of the game to keep the score 1-0 in favor of James Madison. Asman made three saves in the first half to keep the Nittany Lions in striking distance.
The Nittany Lions tallied nine shots in the first half in an effort to tie the game.
Just before the first half horn, the Nittany Lions drew a foul inside the box and were awarded a penalty kick with 41 seconds to play in the half. Junior Frankie Tagliaferri stepped up to take the penalty kick. Tagliaferri's initial shot was saved by the Dukes goalkeeper. Tagliaferri followed her shot and drilled the rebound into the net to tie the match at 1-1.
Out of halftime, the Nittany Lions didn't wait long to claim the lead.
In the 53rd minute, Frankie Tagliaferri took a long pass and beat her defender into the box. Tagliaferri center the ball to Ally Schlegel. Schlegel kept the ball inside the post and gave Penn State a 2-1 lead.
The Nittany Lions continued to put shots on goal. In total, the Penn State finished the game with 21 shots and 10 on goal.
The key play in the second half came in the 73rd minute.
The Dukes drew a foul in the box and were awarded a penalty kick.
Kat Asman calmly took her spot in goal as Iris Rabot stepped up to take the penalty kick for the Dukes. Asman made a fantastic diving save to keep the Nittany Lions ahead 2-1 as the ball was cleared away from danger.
Asman finished with four saves and the Nittany Lions held on for a 2-1 win.
NOTES
The Nittany Lions improved to 4-1-1 on the season.
Penn State hosts Oklahoma State and No. 5 Virginia on Thursday and Saturday.
Ally Schlegel has scored in four consecutive games. The Nittany Lions are 3-0-1 in those games.
Frankie Tagliaferri and Ally Schlegel are currently tied for the team lead with four goals each.
The Nittany Lions improved to 13-4-1 all-time against James Madison.
