CARY, N.C. – The Penn State women's soccer team (12-3-1, 9-1-1) saw its season come to an end in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. The No. 9 Nittany Lions fell 3-1 to No. 1 Florida State.
Penn State finished its season with a 12-3-1 record and went 9-1-1 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions captured its 20th Big Ten regular season title during the spring season. Despite the COVID-19 shortened campaign, head coach Erica Dambach led Penn State to double-digit wins for the 14th consecutive season under her direction. The 12 wins also continued Penn State's streak of double-digit wins in every season in program history (27 seasons).
How It Happened
Penn State weathered an early offensive attack by the Seminoles as Florida State tallied five shots in the first 15 minutes of action and also earned three corner kicks during that time.
Keeper Katherine Asman made a leaping save in the 15th minute as a shot from outside of the box looked to put Florida State ahead. Asman snatched the ball out of the air and kept the game knotted at 0-0.
Penn State broke through the Seminoles defense in the 20th minute. A turnover at midfield allowed for Sam Coffey to play a perfect ball to Frankie Tagliaferri beyond the Florida State back line.
Tagliaferri buried her shot into the back of the net and gave Penn State the early 1-0 advantage.
In the 28th minute, Tagliaferri sent another shot that went just over the crossbar as the Nittany Lions tried to add on to their 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Florida State tied the game at 1-1. Florida State earned a corner and scored as a shot went just out of Asman's reach.
Asman's strong play kept the Nittany Lions and Seminoles tied at 1-1 after 45 minutes of play. Asman made five saves in first half.
Florida State took a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute. Six minutes later, the Seminoles added another goal on a penalty kick to take a 3-1 advantage.
The score would hold as the final as the Nittany Lions could bring the deficit no closer.
2020-21 Season Notes
The Big Ten regular season championship was the 20th in program history and 11th under head coach Erica Dambach, both are Big Ten records.
Dambach was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the fifth time as Penn State's head coach.
Ally Schlegel (Forward of the Year), Sam Coffey (Midfielder of the Year) and Eva Alonso (Co-Freshman of the Year) collected the major Big Ten awards for their outstanding seasons.
Schlegel was named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. She became the 12th Penn Stater to be named a semifinalist for college soccer's highest honor.
Schlegel, Coffey and Tagliaferri all earned first team All-Big Ten honors. Payton Linnehan and Alonso were named to the All-Big Ten second team and Alonso was also named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Senior captain Kerry Abello was honored with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Penn State advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 years and fourth consecutive season.