CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – Kate Wiesner's goal in the 89th minute gave the Penn State women's soccer team a 1-0 win over North Carolina State on Sunday afternoon. The win improved Penn State to 6-1 on the season as it wrapped up non-conference competition.
The Nittany Lions open conference play on Sunday, September 19 against Rutgers on the Big Ten Network.
How it Happened
A defensive battle was the story for nearly 90 minutes of the match. NC State came into the match having recorded three straight shutouts. NC State was also outscoring opponents 9-0 during that span.
The best scoring opportunity for either team in the early portion of the game came in the 13th minute. NC State's Toni Starova sent a shot on frame but was denied by a diving Katherine Asman and the score remained 0-0. Asman was coming off a career-best nine saves in the win over #3 Virginia.
Asman made five saves in her second shutout of the season, three coming in the first half.
The Nittany Lions and Wolfpack went into the half tied at 0-0. Penn State was limited to just two shots in the first 45 minutes with no shots on goal.
To start the second half, Asman made another leaping save in the 53rd minute and denyed a scoring chance for the Wolfpack.
In the 67th minute, Penn State had its best scoring opportunity turned away. Ally Schlegel made a run behind the Wolfpack back line and had an open look in the box. Schlegel was ruled offsides by the linesman.
Penn State's first shot on goal came in the 81st minute as Jilly Shimkin set a shot on frame from outside of the box but it was saved by the Wolfpack keeper.
In the final minute of the match, Sam Coffey played a ball forward to a streaking Kerry Abello. Abello found Wiesner making a run to the far post. Wiesner found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Penn State will open its conference slate against #9 Rutgers next Sunday.
Additional Notes
Kate Wiesner's goal was her first since she scored on August 23, 2019 against #3 Stanford in the season opener.
With conference play beginning, every Big Ten team has at least a .500 record or better in its non-conference play.
Penn State is tied with Iowa and Michigan in the Big Ten for the most wins during non-conference play with six.
The Nittany Lions have had seven different players score goals so far this season.
