CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Penn State women's soccer program concluded its three-game road trip by picking up a 2-0 win over the previously unbeaten Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday afternoon.
A stingy Nittany Lions defense and strong play by goalkeeper Katherine Asman powered the Penn State (2-1-0, 2-1-0) to its first shutout of the year. Asman finished Sunday's match with four saves and the Nittany Lion defense faced 11 Illini (2-1-0, 2-1-0) shots but would not concede a goal.
Senior captains Sam Coffey (4') and Frankie Tagliaferri (53') each scored goals in the Nittany Lions win. Sunday's goal for Coffey was her second game-winner of the season
Penn State gained the early advantage, scoring just four minutes into the game. Sophomore Payton Linnehan made a run deep into Illini territory. She found Coffey at the top of the box and Coffey buried a shot into the bottom left corner of the net to put Penn State up 1-0.
Coffey entered the game at the NCAA Division I leader in points with 93 and assists with 35. She now has 95 career points in 68 career games and is currently tied for the team lead with six points this season with Ally Schlegel.
The goal spurred the Illini offense as they tallied three quick shots in the ensuing three minutes of game action. Asman made two saves and the third shot was off target as Penn State held its 1-0 lead.
Penn State looked to extend its lead in the 17th minutes as Ally Schlegel made a run on net. Schlegel leapt, attempting to head the ball past the keeper, but collided with Illini keeper and was issued a yellow card. The Nittany Lions sent three more shots on net in the remainder of the half but could not tally another goal and went into the half with the one goal advantage.
Seven minutes into the second half, Tagliaferri sent a blast from outside of the box that was just beyond the outstretched arms of the Illini goalkeeper and gave Penn State a 2-0 lead.
The Nittany Lion defense was equally impressive in the second 45 minutes of the game, not allow any easy looks for Illinois. Asman made two more saves in the half to keep the Illini offense at bay and secure the 2-0 win.
Penn State returns home to face Indiana University at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 4.
NOTES
- Sam Coffey is currently the NCAA Division I active leader in points (95) and assists (35)
- Katherine Asman picked up the first shutout of Nittany Lion career.
- Frankie Tagliaferri netted the 18th goal of her Penn State career.
- Head coach Erica Dambach improved to 112-23-9 all-time against Big Ten opponents as Penn State's head coach.