UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The No. 17 Penn State women's soccer program had plenty to celebrate on Senior and Alumni day as the Nittany Lions shutout Illinois 5-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Seasoned players and newcomers alike took part in the scoring action at Jeffrey Field.
Senior+ Penelope Hocking led the way scoring a brace with her first goal occurring just 30 seconds into the match on an assist from freshman Amelia White.
Freshman Olivia Smith and junior Kaitlyn MacBean each scored their first career goals, while senior+ Jillian Jennings scored the second goal of her career and first goal for the Blue and White since transferring from Boston College in 2021.
The five Nittany Lion goals were the most conceded by the Fighting Illini this season behind their 0-4 loss at Notre Dame on Aug. 28.
It marked the fourth shutout Illinois has suffered this season, thanks to a strong Nittany Lion defense who held the Fighting Illini to just four shots on goal. Keeper duo redshirt senior Katherine Asman and senior+ Morgan Messner combined for the sixth cleansheet of the season and third in a row.
With the win, PSU advances to 7-1-2 overall and 2-0-1 in Big Ten play while Illinois drops to 6-4-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the league.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State set the tone early, as White dribbled up field and sent a cross inside the box to Hocking who scored in the first 30 seconds of the match marking the Nittany Lions' earliest goal this season.
The 37th minute saw Illinois' first shot of the match that went right into the gloves of Asman. It would be the Fighting Illini's only shot of the half. Not 45 seconds later, Smith scored the first goal of her career on an arcing shot into the net assisted by senior Payton Linnehan.
Before heading into halftime, senior Cori Dyke sent a corner kick into the box finding MacBean who headed a shot that was blocked by Illinois. Jennings was in the right place to boot the deflection in for the 3-0 advantage.
Hocking scored her second goal in the 58th minute to tie Schlegel with four goals this season and to lead the Nittany Lions with ten points.
PSU did not let off the gas seeing MacBean score her first career goal in the 89th minute for the 5-0 lead.
NEXT UP
The Nittany Lions stay at Jeffrey Field to host Michigan State at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Senior Day and Alumni Day is presented by the Penn State Alumni Association.
The Penn State women's soccer season is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
