UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's soccer team picked up its fourth-straight win on Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 win over the Michigan State Spartans. The Nittany Lions (4-1-0, 4-1-0) scored a pair of goals in the first half and added an insurance goal in the second half to top the Spartans (1-3-1).
Ally Schlegel and Frankie Tagliaferri both scored their third goals of the season, netting goals in the first 45 minutes of action. Freshman Elle Kershner scored the first goal of her Nittany Lion career in the second half to put the game out of reach of the Spartans.
Penn State's defense limited the Spartans to just three shots in the game and only one in the second half of action.
How It Happened
- The Nittany Lions struck quickly as Rachel Wasserman sent a pass in front of the net that found the feet of Schlegel. Schlegel was able to sidestep a Spartan defender and sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net to put Penn State up 1-0 in the eight minute of action.
- Gia Wahlberg of Michigan State tied the game in the 27th minute. Wahlberg was able to weave through the stingy Nittany Lion defense and tie the game at 1-1.
- This goal sparked the Nittany Lions, who didn't wait long to retake the lead. Senior captains Sam Coffey and Tagliaferri teamed up to regain the advantage. Coffey found Tagliaferri in the 35th minute as Tagliaferri bested the Spartan goalkeeper to put the Nittany Lions ahead for good.
- Kershner added the insurance goal in the 74th minute. Wasserman recorded her second assist of the game as she sent a swinging ball into the box to Kershner, who took one dribble and tucked the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal to extend Penn State's lead.
- Katie Evans picked up her first win in goal for Penn State as the Nittany Lions improve to 23-5 all-time against Michigan State.
- The Nittany Lions will play one game on the road on Saturday, March 13 against Ohio State before returning home on March 18 and 21.
Notes
- With Schlegel's goal and Coffey's assist, they are both tied for the team lead with nine points, three goals and three assists.
- Frankie Tagliaferri has now scored in three straight games.
- Rachel Wasserman's two assists on Sunday were the first assists of her career.
- Penn State is currently the Big Ten's top scoring team with 13 goals through five games played.