CARY, N.C. – A two-goal second half lifted the Penn State women's soccer team (12-2-1, 9-1-1) to a 2-0 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday afternoon. Senior Kristin Schnurr and freshman Eva Alonso scored in the win to send Penn State to its fourth straight Sweet 16.
Penn State will meet #1 Florida State on May 5 at 3 p.m. for a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals.
How it Happened
Both teams came out aggressively, attempting to take the early lead in the match. The Nittany Lions had two shots in the first seven minutes but couldn't find the mark.
The next two shots of the match came from Vanderbilt. Both shots were on goal but Katherine Asman was there to make both saves and keep the Commodores scoreless.
The Nittany Lions tallied a pair of shots in the 12th and 14th minutes but could not score.
In the 24th minute, Sam Coffey sent a blast on frame, but the Vanderbilt keeper made a diving save to keep Coffey's shot from finding the back of the net.
Two minutes later, a shot from Vanderbilt clanged off the crossbar and was cleared from danger by the Nittany Lions back line.
Just before the half, Ally Schlegel had a shot saved as Penn State continued to pressure the Commodores keeper and the Vanderbilt defense.
17 seconds before the half ended, Coffey sent a missile of a shot that missed giving Penn State a lead by inches and the Nittany Lions and Vanderbilt went into the half in a scoreless tie.
The Nittany Lions continued to apply pressure, sending two shots on goal in the first eight minutes of the second half.
Penn State finally broke the scoreless tie in the 62nd minute. Elle Kershner played Rachel Wasserman into space down the left side of the field. Wasserman collected the pass and sent a perfect ball into the box to a streaking Schnurr. Schnurr slotted her shot over the outstretched hands of the keeper and her shot bounced off the crossbar and in to make it 1-0 Penn State.
11 minutes later, Eva Alonso scored on a corner kick and Sam Coffey crossed the ball into the box and Alonso headed in a bouncing ball to give Penn State a 2-0 lead.
Penn State held off a furious attempt to score by Vanderbilt and moved on to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season.
NOTES
Penn State has not allowed a goal in the NCAA Tournament, outscoring opponents 7-0 in its first two games.
The Nittany Lions have advanced to the Sweet 16 in eight of the last 10 seasons. Penn State has advanced to the Sweet 16 nine times under Erica Dambach.
Sam Coffey's 11 assists are the second most in her career, she had 14 in her sophomore season at Boston College. She is the NCAA active leader in points (113) and assists (45).
Kristin Schnurr's game-winning goal is the second game-winner in the NCAA tournament for her. She previously scored the game-winner against South Carolina in 2018 to advance Penn State to the third round of the tournament.
This will be the second time in the last three seasons Penn State has played Florida State in the NCAA Tournament (2018 quarterfinals).