UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- No. 25 Penn State women's lacrosse continues its undefeated start to the season with a 8-4 win against Arizona State. The Nittany Lions never trailed in a character win, marking their best start to a season since 2020.
A combination of Kristin O'Neill's third hat trick in just four games and a defensive second half shutout, led Penn State to its fourth consecutive home victory of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Despite Arizona State winning the opening draw, the ball ended up back in Penn State's offensive zone after a turnover and ground ball picked up by Sammy Dupcak. O'Neill scored the first goal of the game with 11:50 to go in the quarter.
Gretchen Gilmore was the next to add a goal off a pass from Kara Nealon in front of the net. Penn State held an early 2-0 advantage.
A quick goal for the Sun Devils after the next draw control got them on the board. Arizona State was next to score after a quiet eight minutes of play. The Sun Devils tied the score at 2-2 off a free position shot with 3:14 remaining.
Alaina Hamood would have the final word of the quarter on an unassisted goal with 15 seconds to play.
Second quarter
Gilmore scored her second of the day off a pass from Brooke Barger to extend their lead to 4-2 with 9:58 on the clock, marking the first goal of the quarter.
Arizona State managed to add two and tie the score at 4-4 off of goals from Kaitlyn Skamas and Lydia Oldknow. This would be the last time the Sun Devils would find the back of the net for the remainder of the game.
The Nittany Lions offense continued to press as they added to their shot total, putting Arizona State's Katie Vahle to work in goal.
Hamood's second goal of the day concluded the first half at 5-4 and gave Penn State the momentum going into halftime.
Third Quarter
A fast goal from O'Neill off the opening draw control in just 10 seconds gave the Nittany Lions a push coming out of the half, making the score 6-4.
A red-hot O'Neill scored another just over one minute later. Despite seven shots for the Nittany Lions in the third quarter, there was no more scoring to be had and the total hung at 7-4 going into the final stanza.
Fourth Quarter
The lone goal of the quarter came in a big moment for sophomore Lauren Saltz. With just under three minutes to go, and no goals scored since 13:23 in the third quarter, Saltz found the back of the net after battling her way through the Sun Devils defense.
The final score was 8-4 marking a second half shutout for the Nittany Lions.
OF NOTE
- O'Neill continues an eight-game scoring streak.
- Sammy Dupcak earned two draw controls and a season high six ground balls.
- Kayla Abernathy notched two ground balls and a personal best four caused turnovers.
- Haley Urgo earned a career high four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
- Ashley Bowan made five crucial saves in goal.
- Abernathy and Dupcak connected on defense with two caused turnovers from Abernathy picked up by Dupcak.
- Penn State outshot Arizona State 32-15.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions conclude their five-game home stretch on Saturday, March 4 when they take on no. 8 Loyola.