PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 8 women's soccer program completed its five-game road trip against No. 16 Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights used a late penalty-kick goal as they topped the Nittany Lions.
How it Happened
In a game that looked to featuring a pair of high scoring offenses, the Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights were locked in a 0-0 tie after the first 45 minutes of action.
In the 17th minute, Ally Schlegel got Penn State's first opportunity as Ellie Wheeler played the ball into the Rutgers box. Schlegel sent her shot on frame but it was blocked by a Scarlet Knight defender.
Schlegel recorded Penn State's first shot on goal in the 25th minute. Her shot was saved by the Rutgers keeper.
The reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week, Katherine Asman made a pair of saves in the final five minutes of the first half to keep Rutgers off the scoreboard.
Penn State got out of the gate quickly to start the second half as Payton Linnehan got behind the Rutgers back line in the 46th minute. Linnehan's shot went just wide of the net as she looked give Penn State the lead.
Rutgers took the first lead of the game in the 63rd minute when Samantha Kroeger slotted her shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Less than four minutes later, Kate Wiesner sent a swinging ball into the box that found the feet of Rachel Wasserman. Wasserman battled through two defenders and sent her shot into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Penn State continued to pressure the Rutgers defense, tallying 10 shots in the second 45 minutes of action.
An unfortunate foul was called in the box in the 81st minute and an penalty kick was awarded to Rutgers. Rutgers converted the penalty kick and took a 2-1 lead with under 10 minutes to play in the match.
The PK goal was the difference in the match as Rutgers held on to win 2-1 in the Big Ten opener.
Penn State returns home to face Northwestern on Thursday, September 23.
The Penn State women's soccer season is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
