UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Led by Sam Coffey's first half hat trick, the Penn State women's soccer team topped Maryland 5-1 on Friday night at Jeffrey Field. It is the second time this season a Nittany Lion has recorded a hat trick in the first half of a match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A quick start by the Nittany Lions nearly resulted in a goal in the seventh minute of action as Ally Schlegel had a shot roll just wide of the net after beating the keeper.
Penn State continued to maintain the majority of the possession in the first half as it looked for the first goal of the match.
In the 19th minute, Schlegel sent a ball into the far corner of the box to a streaking Coffey who found the ball at her feet. Coffey slotted a powerful, left-footed shot into the back corner of the net to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead.
Maryland responded quickly just a minute later. A turnover by the Nittany Lion back line resulted in a breakaway opportunity for the Terrapins. The Terps took advantage and netted the game-tying goal.
The Nittany Lions offense was clicking on all cylinders in Friday's matchup and the senior captain Coffey netted her second goal of the game in the 28th minute.
A blast by Cori Dyke slammed off the far post of the goal and bounced right to the feet of Coffey. Coffey easily sent her shot past the Terrapins keeper for the 40th goal of her career.
The 40th goal from Coffey moved her into elite company as she became just the 50th player in NCAA Division I soccer history to score 40 goals and tally 40 assists.
Coffey wasn't finished as she also scored in the 39th minute of the first half to put the Nittany Lions up 3-1.
Coffey joined Payton Linnehan as the second Nittany Lion to record a hat trick in the first half of a match this season.
In the second half, Coffey served as facilitator as she played a ball behind the Terrapins back line to Rachel Wasserman. Wasserman slotted her shot under the arms of the Maryland keeper to give the Nittany Lions a 4-1 lead with her second goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Jilly Shimkin played a perfect ball to a leaping Schlegel. Schlegel headed her shot over the outstretched hands of the Maryland goalkeeper to extend the lead to 5-1 and this was the final scoring play of the match.
The Nittany Lions remain at home to face Indiana on Wednesday, October 13 on ESPNU.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Sam Coffey now has 41 goals and 50 assists in her career, joining the elite group of just 50 members in NCAA Division I soccer to eclipse 40 goals and 40 assists in their career. Also on that list are Penn State alum Christie Welsh and current Penn State Associate Head Coach Ann Cook.
Coffey now has 133 points in her career.
The 5-1 win over Maryland was the first time Penn State has scored five goals since its 5-0 win over Alabama St. last spring in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (4/28/21).
Penn State has outscored Maryland 11-1 in its last two matchups and is now 14-4 all-time against the Terrapins.
Penn State is now 7-0 when it scores at least two goals.
The Penn State women's soccer season is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
