SEATTLE – Penn State women’s soccer came up short in a 1-0 final on the road against No. 13 Washington on Sunday at Husky Soccer Stadium. The result ended the team’s six-match unbeaten streak with the Blue & White falling for the first time since September 10.
The Nittany Lions fell to 6-3-4 (4-2-2 B1G) while the Huskies improved to 11-1-2 (6-1-1 B1G).
PSU competed with the defending Big Ten Tournament champions from start to finish, finishing with a significant, 9-1 edge in corner kicks. Washington narrowly outshot Penn State, 9-7.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress made five saves. It was just the second time this season the Lyndhurst, New Jersey native registered five or more saves in a match with the only other coming in a career-high 10-save performance against Virginia Tech.
FIRST HALF
Penn State opened the first frame on the attack. The Blue & White secured a corner kick in the third minute of the match before firing off three shots by the 4:26 mark. Neither shot would reach the Husky keeper with two of the tries getting blocked by Washington defenders.
Play evened out as the half carried on with PSU earning consecutive corner kicks in the 17th minute but could not find the back of the net on either try. The Nittany Lions finished the half with a 4-1 corner kick edge.
Following a free kick into the attacking zone, Penn State challenged for a penalty after a Nittany Lion received contact in the box at the 22:39 mark. The play was not deemed enough to warrant a penalty after review.
Gress recorded her first save of the contest a few minutes later on a shot that did not offer much challenge. Her third save required much more theatrics as a Husky lined up a shot from well outside the 18 that Gress was able to punch over the crossbar in a leaping effort as time expired in the opening half.
SECOND HALF
The second half began with intensity that resulted in cards issued to both sides. Washington’s Lucy Newlin did not appreciate a legitimate challenge by the Nittany Lions’ Emma Johnson that resulted in a free kick as she got in the face of Johnson on her way up. Newlin and Johnson both received yellow cards during the exchange.
Washington broke the tie with a goal at the 55:03 mark of the match. The goal was reviewed but the call stood after an extensive look.
Penn State nearly equalized in the 59th minute after graduate defender Lily Boyden made a great run into the box. She fired a shot that was saved before junior forward Aubrey Kulpa sent in the rebound. Kulpa was called offside on the play.
The Blue & White continued to push for the tying goal and earned plenty of throw ins deep inside the Husky defensive third. Junior defender Bella Ayscue received the ball inside the 18 before sending a shot that was blocked in the 71st minute of action.
A review was initiated following a challenge by redshirt senior defender Kayleigh Herr on an attacking Husky. Herr was deemed to have gotten to the ball in time by the officials, allowing the match to play on.
The Nittany Lions earned four straight corner kicks around the 84th minute, but the Huskies held firm to prevent PSU from tying the match. Penn State could not find any other opportunities
SCORING SUMMARY
56’ - PSU 0, UW 1: Alex Buck (4). Assisted by Lucy Newlin (1)
UP NEXT
Penn state returns to Happy Valley next weekend at the Nittany Lions host B1G rival Rutgers at 4 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, October 17. Fans not attending the match at Jeffrey Field can watch from home 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.