EAST LANSING, Mich. - Penn State women’s soccer, led by a three-point outing from Aubrey Kulpa, took down No. 5 Michigan State, 2-1, on Thursday night at DeMartin Stadium.
The junior forward recorded an assist in the first half before scoring a goal of her own in the second to propel the Nittany Lions to their first victory over a top five opponent on the road since September 9, 2021 when the team defeated No. 3 Virginia, 4-2.
Penn State improved to 8-3-4 (6-2-2 Big Ten) on the season while Michigan State dropped to 11-3-2 (7-3-0 Big Ten). With the victory and 20 points in Big Ten play, the Blue & White clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, which will begin at Energizer Park in St. Louis on November 4.
PSU has now won four straight in East Lansing in addition to seven of the last eight meetings at DeMartin Stadium.
Kulpa’s assist was to senior forward Paige Kalal who registered her sixth goal of the season in a beautiful display of passing from Kulpa to Kalal. Freshman midfielder Emma Johnson recorded her second assist of the season on the play as well. Kulpa now boasts seven goals and four assists for Penn State this season, both are team highs with her assist total tying Kalal.
Michigan State finished the match with a 16-8 edge in shots. However, only three shots for each team were on target as the Nittany Lions were able to block multiple and keep the Spartans from earning too many strong chances. Kulpa, Kalal and Johnson accounted for six of Penn State’s eight shots with all three earning a shot on goal.
FIRST HALF
Penn State and Michigan State battled for possession for much of the first half. The Spartans took the first shot of the contest on a dangerous free kick just outside the box, but the try went well over the net to prevent any damage.
The Nittany Lions’ first shot of the night came off the foot of Johnson from inside the 18. Johnson dribbled around a Spartan defender before her shot was saved by the MSU keeper at the 11-minute mark of play.
Kulpa earned the second shot of the match for the Blue & White after outrunning an MSU defender and making a move to get around another. Her rocket of a shot was blocked before it could reach the net. Freshman forward Ellie Kocher and Kalal both tallied shots, which were blocked, as PSU began to push the pace.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress recorded her first save of the night on a shot that was kicked right to her from outside the box at the 22:57 mark.
Play evened out for both sides until the 36th minute. Johnson received a pass from sophomore defender Hannah Jordan before sending it to Kulpa just inside the box. The Cromwell, Connecticut native sent a perfectly placed pass to trailing Kalal, who one-touched a rocket into the back of the net to give Penn State a 1-0 lead with her sixth goal of the season.
Michigan State would search for the equalizer late in the half but to no avail as the Nittany Lions went into the break maintaining their advantage. The first half shot total finished even at five for each team.
SECOND HALF
It did not take long for Penn State to extend its lead. Kulpa received a deep entry pass and found herself one-on-one against a Spartan defender. Despite pushing, shoving and jersey pulling, Kulpa willed her way past the back line and fired a shot off the far post and into the net for her seventh goal of the season not even two minutes into the frame.
Michigan State responded with a goal in the 55th minute to cut its deficit to 2-1. The Spartans put on a few more shots in the ensuing minutes, but none found the back of the net as play would begin to settle down following an action-packed opening third of the half.
The Spartans were booked for a yellow card at the 67:08 mark after redshirt senior defender Kaleigh Herr blocked a shot from inside the 18. Following two MSU corners, Penn State secured its first corner kick of the night in the 72nd minute.
Redshirt sophomore defender Lilly Burger showcased an impressive display of defending with back-to-back blocked shots in the 74th minute as MSU continued to push for the tying goal. Michigan State challenged for a handball after junior defender Bella Ayscue got in front of a cross from inside the box. The call stood and play continued with 12:20 to play in the match.
Kulpa earned corner for Penn State after a great run to battle the Spartan defender at the 81:07 mark. The Blue & White were unable to capitalize. On the other end, MSU challenged for a penalty at 83:01 and once again, the Spartans were unsuccessful.
The Nittany Lion back line held firm for the final seven minutes and did not allow another shot to reach Gress before Penn State would celebrate its first win over a top five opponent on the road since 2021.
SCORING SUMMARY
36’ - PSU 1, MSU 0: Paige Kalal (6). Assisted by Aubrey Kulpa (4) and Emma Johnson (2)
47’ - PSU 2, MSU 0: Aubrey Kulpa (7)
55’ - PSU 2, MSU 1: Kayla Briggs (7). Assisted by Renee Watson (2)
UP NEXT
Penn State will head down the road to Ann Arbor to take on No. 24 Michigan, which currently sits two points behind the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten standings. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ET) at U-M Soccer Stadium. It will be the final road match of the 2026 regular season for PSU.
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.