UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State defeated USC, 1-0, on a rainy Sunday afternoon during its annual THON Match and Military Appreciation match at Jeffrey Field. The Blue & White strengthened its record to 5-2-3 with a 3-1-1 mark in Big Ten play while USC fell to 1-7-3 and 0-4-1 in conference play.
The Nittany Lion back line stifled the Trojans all afternoon, not allowing a single shot. The last time Penn State held an NCAA Division I and Big Ten opponent without a shot was against Ohio State on October 20, 2000. Penn State also held Division II West Chester without a shot during a matchup in the 2024 season.
Junior Aubrey Kulpa tallied her fifth goal and 13th point of the season. In the first half, the forward recorded three shots, including her goal. Kulpa finished with a team-high four shots, including three on target, followed by freshman forward Ellie Kocher who had three attempts.
Sophomore defender Hannah Jordan recorded her first assist of the season on Kulpa’s first-half strike. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress posted the 10th shutout of her career.
PSU finished the contest with a 15-0 advantage in shots and 5-1 edge in corner kicks. With the win, Penn State maintained its undefeated mark at Jeffrey Field with a 4-0-2 record.
FIRST HALF
The Nittany Lions started off the match pressuring USC's offense immediately following the Trojan's kickoff. The Blue & White quickly took possession of the ball, setting a trend that would continue for most of the match.
In the third minute, Kulpa tallied Penn State's first chance. The forward positioned herself face-to-face with USC's netminder who let the ball slip from her hands before securing it.
After the early momentum from PSU, the Trojans found their pacing, getting closer to Penn State's offensive field and recording its first and only corner kick of the match. The Blue & White back line shut down any scoring opportunity.
USC earned its first of two yellow cards in the half at the 23:32 mark of the frame following a hard foul.
In the 27th minute, Jordan saw an opening on a throw in and set up Kulpa inside of the 18-yard box. The Cromwell, Connecticut native sent a rocket off her left foot and into the top corner of the goal to give Penn State the early lead.
Following the goal, freshman midfielder Emma Johnson took two shots. The first was secured by USC's goaltender, while the second went slightly off target. The Trojans were issued a second caution late in the half before the period would conclude.
SECOND HALF
Just over a minute into the half, Penn State earned a corner kick opportunity. USC quickly regained possession on a counterattack but was ultimately stopped by the Blue & White defensive unit.
In the 54th minute, Kulpa earned the team's first shot of the second half that forced another save by the Trojan keeper. Not long after, junior defender Bella Ayscue tallied her first chance of the game, trying to find the bottom right of the net but could not get past the goaltender.
Kocher put together some impressive runs as the half progressed but had both of her shots blocked in the 65th and 68th minutes. She had another shot go wide at the 71:18 mark of the contest.
The Nittany Lions took a few more shots while holding the line defensively to preserve the 1-0 shutout and keep USC from recording any shots of its own.
SCORING SUMMARY
27’ - PSU 1, USC 0: Aubrey Kulpa (5). Assisted by Hannah Jordan (1).
UP NEXT
Penn State will conclude its three-match homestand against the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, October 3 at 7 p.m. (ET). The Nittany Lions will host the Play for Her match at Jeffrey Field, honoring those who have battled breast cancer. Fans can watch from home with a live stream on B1G+.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State women’s soccer. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion women’s soccer team on X and Instagram @PennStateWSOC, in addition to the team’s Facebook page at /PSUWomensSoccer.