UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A first half goal for the Michigan Wolverines was enough to best the No. 23 Penn State women's soccer team on Thursday evening. The Nittany Lions continue Big Ten play on Sunday, September 22 at 1 p.m. against Michigan State.
RECAP
In the first two minutes of the match the Nittany Lions earned a pair of corner kicks but couldn't capitalize on the early opportunities.
Amanda Dennis was tested early in the contest, facing a shot on goal in the sixth minute of action. Dennis made the save to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
The Wolverines found the back on the net in the 10th minute on a goal by Brooke Cilley to take a 1-0 lead over the Nittany Lions.
Penn State responded with two shots and a pair of corner kicks in the next three minutes but were unable to tie the match. The Nittany Lions continued to control possession and applied pressure to the Wolverines defense. In the 37th minute, Rachel Wasserman blasted a shot on goal that sailed just over the net and nearly tied the game.
The Nittany Lions tallied three more shots but could not tie the match headed into halftime.
Immediately out of the half, Payton Linnehan made a great run on goal. Linnehan's shot was turned away by the Michigan goalkeeper.
Amanda Dennis made five saves in the second half to keep the Wolverines off the scoreboard in the final 45 minutes of action.
The Nittany Lions best opportunity to score came in the 79th minute of play. Payton Linnehan beat her defender and sent a curving shot towards the net. The Michigan goalkeeper made a fingertip save to keep the shot from finding the back of the net to tie the match.
This turned out to be Penn State's final shot of the match and Michigan held on for a 1-0 win over the Nittany Lions.
The Nittany Lions continue Big Ten play on Sunday against Michigan State. The Spartans are currently 7-1 before today's game against Ohio State.
For more information on Penn State women's soccer, visit gopsusports.com.
