CARY, N.C. – The #9 Penn State women's soccer team (11-2-1, 9-1-1) will meet the SEC Tournament champions Vanderbilt in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 1 at 3 p.m. ET.
This is the first matchup between the teams in program history.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, May 1 , 2021 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Cary, NC. | Venue: WakeMed Park
Series Record: First Ever Meeting
PENN STATE BREAKDWON
Record: 11-2-1, 9-1-1
Top Scorers: Ally Schlegel – 11 Goals, Frankie Tagliaferri – 9 goals, Sam Coffey – 6 Goals,
Top Assists: Coffey – 10 Assists, Tagliaferri – 9 Assists
NITTANY LIONS LAST TIME OUT
A four-goal first half propelled the Penn State women's soccer team (11-2-1 , 9-1-1) to a 5-0 win over the Alabama State (9-3-1, 6-0-1) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday night.
The Nittany Lions were led by senior captain Frankie Tagliaferri who netted two goals in the win. Payton Linnehan scored once and added two assists and Olivia Damico netted the first goal of her Nittany Lion career in the win.
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Penn State makes its 26th-straight NCAA Tournament in 2020-21, a streak dating back to 1995.
The Nittany Lions are 20-3 in first-round matches (PSU received byes from the first round in 1998, 1999 & 2000). Penn State is in the midst of a 11-match first round winning streak after their win against Alabama St. on Wednesday.
Penn State has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament each of the last three seasons and seven times since 2011.
A five-time College Cup participant (1999, 2002, 2005, 2012, & 2015), Penn State advanced to the quarterfinals 13 times (5-8).
Penn State has a 56-23-2 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament with a record of 29-12-1 under Erica Dambach.
BIG TEN HONORS
Head coach Erica Dambach was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the fifth time in her career. Redshirt sophomore Ally Schlegel was named the Forward of the Year, senior captain Sam Coffey was named the Midfielder of the Year and Eva Alonso was named the Co-Freshman of the Year.
Penn State was also well represented on the respective All-Big Ten teams. Schlegel, Coffey and Frankie Tagliaferri all earned first team honors. Payton Linnehan and Alonso were named to the All-Big Ten second team and Alonso was also named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Senior captain Kerry Abello was honored with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
VANDERBILT. BREAKDOWN
Record: 9-5-1, 8-4-0
Top Scorer: Haley Hopkins – 7 Goals, 1 Assist. Raegan Kelley – 5 goals.
VANDERBILT SCOUT
Vanderbilt makes its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and first as a seeded team. Vanderbilt is ranked No. 16 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll. The Commodores are led by Darren Ambrose who is in his sixth season at the helm. He is 70-38-11 in his six seasons at Vanderbilt.