UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's soccer team fell in a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Thursday night. The Nittany Lions travel to Ohio State for the next Big Ten contest.
The Nittany Lions attack began early as Frankie Tagliaferri registered the first shot of the game in the fourth minute of play.
Amanda Dennis was also tested early but she made a diving save, also in the fourth minute, to keep the scored tied at 0-0.
Tagliaferri and the Nittany Lion offense battled through strong rains and held possession for a majority of the first half. Tagliaferri tallied a shot on goal in the 17th minute. Her shot was saved by the Scarlet Knights goalkeeper and the score remained tied at 0-0.
In the 22nd minute, Ally Schlegel intercepted a pass and fed the ball to Kerry Abello. Abello took the pass from Schlegel a drilled her shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Five minutes later, Dennis made her second save of the half to keep the Nittany Lions ahead 1-0.
Penn State took a 1-0 lead into the half.
In the 63rd minute, the Scarlet Knights tied the game on a goal by Brittany LaPlant.
The Nittany Lions responded with a pair of shots in the 65th and 66th minute, both were just off the mark.
Penn State continued to apply the pressure to Rutgers throughout the second half.
The Scarlet Knights took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Jenna Sayers in the 85th minute.
Two minutes later, Kerry Abello tied the game on shot from well outside the box for her second goal of the game and fifth of the season.
Amanda Dennis made a pair of clutch saves in the final three minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime.
Penn State was firmly in control of the first overtime period. The Nittany Lions tallied four shots in the overtime period but were unable to score the game-winner.
In the 102nd minute, Rutgers sent a corner kick into the box and were awarded a penalty kick after a foul was called on the Nittany Lions.
Amirah Ali scored on the penalty kick to give Rutgers a 3-2 win.
Penn State continues Big Ten play on Sunday, October 6 against Ohio State.