UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team collected its 10th victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Illinois on Thursday evening. Sam Coffey and Kerry Abello netted goals in the win.
Strong winds and rain forced the Nittany Lions to battle through tough weather conditions in the first half.
Penn State nearly got on the scoreboard in the first two minutes of the match. An offside call took a goal off the scoreboard for the Nittany Lions.
Offense was the focal point of the first half for both squads as the teams combined for 15 shots the first 45 minutes of action.
The Nittany Lions faced brisk winds during the first half and used crisp passing to combat the difficult weather. The back line of Penn State did not allow for clean looks on goal during the first half. Amanda Dennis faced just two shots on net and calmly made both saves.
At the end of the first 45 minutes, the teams went into the half tied at 0-0.
Just three minutes into the second half, the Illini scored to take a 1-0 lead.
It didn't take long for the Nittany Lions to respond as Sam Coffey tied the match in the 50th minute. The goal from Coffey came after Payton Linnehan rocketed a shot off the crossbar and a failed clearance rolled to Coffey's feet. Coffey blasted a shot towards goal and successfully tied the match at 1-1.
Payton Linnehan tested the Illini goalkeeper as she put a pair of shots on goal in the 60th minute but both shots were saved.
Kerry Abello's hot streak continued as she scored her seventh goal of the season to give the Nittany Lions a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute. Abello's strong left foot drove her shot past the Illini goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net to give the Nittany Lions the lead.
The Penn State defense allowed just one shot over the final 22 minutes and helped secure the 2-1 victory.
The Nittany Lions have won four straight games and improved to 10-6-1, 6-3-0 on the season.
Penn State hosts Northwestern on Sunday, October 20 at 12 p.m. ET for the final regular season home game of 2019.
