LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nittany Lions and Nebraska Cornhuskers met on a chilly and windy afternoon on Sunday in Lincoln, Nebraska. Penn State won its sixth-straight game with a 1-0 win over the Huskers.
The Penn State offense warmed up quickly as Kerry Abello and Sam Coffey both blasted shots on goal in the first ten minutes of action.
In the 11th minute the Nittany Lions earned a corner kick that Sam Coffey sent into the box. Following the play after her corner, Coffey bested the Huskers goalkeeper with a shot from inside the penalty box to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. Penn State's leading goal scorer, Ally Schlegel, was credited with the assist on the play.
Another Penn State corner kick nearly resulted in a 2-0 lead in the 13th minute but Schlegel's header sailed over the net. A persistent attack continued to pressure the Huskers backline but Penn State could not extend its lead any further in the first half.
Amanda Dennis kept the lead intact in the 35th minute, denying Brenna Ochoa of a goal following a cross into the box at point-blank range.
Just before the half, Brenna Ochoa hit the post on a long shot that nearly tied the game for the Huskers in the 41st minute.
Penn State faced a strong headwind during the first half but managed to sustain their lead despite the difficult weather conditions. The Nittany Lions and Huskers ended the first 45 minutes of play with Penn State leading 1-0.
Out of halftime, Frankie Tagliaferri attempted to pad the Nittany Lions lead in the 51st minute. Tagliaferri's made a run into the box and sent a shot towards goal. The ball smacked the crossbar and rolled out of play as the junior midfielder almost gave Penn State a 2-0 lead.
Seven minutes later, Sam Coffey sent her third shot on goal but was denied as Aubrei Corder made another save to keep the Huskers within striking distance.
In hopes of keeping their season alive, the Huskers began to send constant pressure on the Nittany Lion defense.
The backline of Kaleigh Riehl, Caitlin Haislip, Ellie Jean and Laura Suero proved up to the task as the Huskers did not register a shot on goal in the second half and managed just four shots in the period.
Nebraska tallied three shots in the final ten minutes but could not tie the score as the Nittany Lions held on for a 1-0 win on the road.
The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a 12-6-1 record and went 8-3-0 in Big Ten play.
With the win, Penn State is currently fourth in the Big Ten standings. The top four seeds host the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday, November 3.
NOTES
- The Nittany Lions six-game winning streak is the longest active streak in the Big Ten.
- Sam Coffey has scored a pair of goals and dished out three assists in her last four games.
- Penn State enters the Big Ten Tournament with seven Big Ten Tournament titles, the most in conference history.
- Penn State finished the regular season with a 7-1-1 record on the road and won five Big Ten road games.