Sept. 26, 2010
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team earned its first shutout of the season in a tense 1-0 win over Michigan State on Sunday at Jeffrey Field. Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute for the deciding goal in front of 1,692 fans, the second largest crowd ever to witness a Big Ten women's soccer match at Jeffrey Field.
Penn State (3-6-1, 1-0-0 Big Ten) used a consistent attack and speed to wear down the Michigan State (5-3-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten) defense and provide scoring opportunities. In the first half, that attacking philosophy was evident when Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) took a pass down the left wing and was brought down by MSU's Annie Steinlege, drawing a penalty kick. Nairn stepped up and calmly sent the ball into the left side netting for her third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. In the end, Penn State would make the goal stand up extending its league-best conference unbeaten streak to 10 games (9-0-1) dating back to Oct. 2, 2009.
In a spirited match that saw 27 fouls combined by the two teams and four bookings, there were plenty of offensive opportunities in the two teams' Big Ten openers. In fact, Penn State's first six of seven shots reached frame, forcing saves by MSU's Jill Flietstra (six saves). One notable PSU scoring chance came from Nairn, who launched a laser from 25 yards out that forced a diving stop by Flietstra to keep the game at a one-goal margin. Into halftime, the two teams were evenly matched with MSU holding an 8-6 shot advantage, while PSU had a 6-2 edge in shots on goal.
In the second half, the intensity was ratcheted up a notch by both squads as Michigan State searched for an equalizer, while Penn State looked to add an insurance goal. A combination play between senior Danielle Toney (Northville, Mich.) and Hayes saw the freshman striker nearly put one past the senior `keeper from 10 yards out in the 50th minute, but Flietstra was up to the task.
Hughes: Lions Channel Team Unity to Defeat MSUThe Nittany Lions put the frustration of a tough Dartmouth loss behind them on Sunday as they united to beat Michigan State, 1-0. Penn State pushed the Spartan defense by staying aggressive and forcing Michigan State to fight the ball out of their area. Read More |
Thirteen minutes later, Toney cut across a couple Spartan defenders about 20 yards from distance and got to the penalty spot, where her toed shot was saved, keeping the game 1-0. Penn State attempted a few long-range efforts in the 68th and 70th minute, one from Hayley Brock (Acton, Mass.) and another by Nairn, both of which just went wide and high of frame.
As the game reached full time, Michigan State sent attackers forward in an attempt to tie the game. Cara Freehman had a shot from 20 yards blocked by Ali Schaefer (Las Vegas, Nev.) before a flurry of Spartan shots came in the 89th and 90th minutes. Olivia Stander had a shot blocked forcing a corner kick, where Samantha Cook's header required a sprawling game-saving stop by Krissy Tribbett (Centennial, Colo.) to keep PSU ahead.
After Tribbett cleared the ball from the area, Michigan State forced one more opportunity when Laura Heyboer broke free on the left wing and ripped a shot from 15 yards out, which Tribbett (four saves) easily corralled, cementing PSU's Big Ten opening win and the Lions' first shutout of the season.
For the match the two teams were tied 12-12 in shots taken, while Michigan State took seven corner kick attempts to Penn State's four. The Spartans committed 14 fouls to PSU's 13 and MSU was caught offsides twice. Additionally, Penn State improved to 15-4-0 all-time in the series against Michigan State, which includes a perfect 7-0-0 mark at Jeffrey Field.
Penn State returns to action next Sunday for a 3:00 p.m. clash with Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes will broadcast live from Jessie Owens Stadium on the Big Ten Network.
BOX SCORE
| Team | 1st | 2nd | OT1 | OT2 | Total | Record |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | (5-3-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten) |
| Penn State | 1 | 0 | - | - | 1 | (3-6-1, 1-0-0 Big Ten) |
Scoring Summary
PSU (19:32) - Christine Nairn (3, Penalty kick)
Stat Summary
Shots: PSU 12, MSU 12
Corners: PSU 4, MSU 7
Saves: PSU 4, MSU 6
Fouls: PSU 13, MSU 14
Offsides: PSU 0, MSU 2
Booking Summary
Yellow: PSU - Danielle Toney (23:00)
Yellow: PSU - Maya Hayes (42:49)
Yellow: MSU - Olivia Stander (54:45)
Yellow: PSU - Jess Rosenbluth (75:19)
Attendance: 1,692 (Second largest crowd for a Big Ten game at Jeffrey Field)
For complete coverage of Penn State women's soccer, please visit http://www.GoPSUsports.com/sports/w-soccer.
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--NITTANY LIONS--