MADISON, Wisc. – Goals by captain Sam Coffey and Jordan Canniff powered the Penn State women's soccer team (7-4-0, 1-3-0) to a 2-1 victory over the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday night. The Badgers were on a eight-game unbeaten streak prior to the matchup with the Nittany Lions.
How it Happened
It was a quiet first 10 minute of actions as both teams attempted to gain the possession as the early portion of the match did not see a shot from either team.
The first shot of the match came from Emma Jaskaniec as she found the back of the net to give the Badgers a 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute.
Penn State immediately recorded its first shot on goal in the 13th minute as Cori Dyke tested the Badger keeper.
Nittany Lions keeper, Katherine Asman made two saves in the following minutes to keep the lead 1-0 for Wisconsin.
In the 31st minute, Ally Schlegel drew a foul and a yellow card was given to Wisconsin just outside of the Wisconsin box.
Senior captain Sam Coffey stepped up and drilled her free kick into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season and the 38th of her career to tie the game at 1-1.
The teams went into the half tied at 1-1.
Penn State took the momentum it had at the end of the first half into the second half.
Coffey sent two shots towards the Wisconsin goals as the senior tried to give the Nittany Lions the lead in the early stages of the second half.
The Nittany Lions back line did not allow for any easy looks for the Badgers strong attack in the second half.
Asman made another save for Penn State in the 64th minute to keep the game knotted at 1-1.
In the 81st minute, Elle Kershner made a run down the right side of the field and send a cross into the box. After a deflection on a shot by Schlegel, Canniff followed the play and scored the game-winning goal for the Nittany Lions.
With under a minute to play, Wisconsin sent one last ball into the box to try and tie the match. Asman dove on the cross to help secure the win for Penn State.
Additional Notes
Penn State improves to 22-5-4 all-time against Wisconsin. It was Penn State's first win over Wisconsin since 2016 when the Nittany Lions defeated the Badgers 1-0 on September 18, 2016.
Sam Coffey netted her fourth goal of the season and 38th of her career. Coffey has four goals and four assists on the season. She now has 126 career points.
Jordan Canniff's goal was the first of her 2021 season. It was Canniff's first goal since October 10, 2019 against Ohio State after Canniff missing part of last season due to injury.
Penn State travels to Minnesota for the second game of its road trip. The Nittany Lions are 24-5-2 all-time against the Gophers.
The Penn State women's soccer season is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
