COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the ninth time in program history, the Penn State women's soccer program are Big Ten Tournament Champions after the sixth seed Nittany Lions defeated top seed Michigan State 3-2 on Sunday at Lower.com field in Columbus, Ohio.
PSU overcame an early one-goal deficit and battled through two ties to win the championship and prevent MSU from winning the double after the Spartans clinched the Big Ten regular season title.
Ally Schlegel scored two goals in the match, including the game-winner, and was named Offensive MVP of the tournament.
Katherine Asman made two saves against MSU, and paired with two clean sheets in the tournament quarterfinal and semifinals was named the tournament's Defensive MVP.
Penn State earned the Big Ten's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with the victory and moves to 13-4-3 overall. MSU falls to 16-2-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans struck first in the fifth minute forcing an own goal off Penn State.
In the 16th minute, Kate Wiesner drew a foul in the box, awarding PSU a penalty kick. Hocking took the kick, but it rang off the right post and back to MSU's possession.
The 38th minute saw Penn State tie the match at 1-1. Cori Dyke took a free kick and booted the ball high into the box.
Mieke Schiemann headed the ball while the goalkeeper collided with her. The ball made its way toward the goal line with Kaitlyn MacBean ensuring its path by adding an extra touch and warding off two defenders for her third goal of the season.
Out of the half, the Nittany Lions took the lead 2-1 on an Ally Schlegel goal. Hocking connected with Payton Linnehan who sent a cross into Schlegel who split two defenders striking the ball into the net off her right foot.
The Penn State defense fended off four shot attempts until the Spartans scored on a ball deflected in by the post in the 75th minute to tie it back up.
PSU took the lead back in the 82nd minute as Natalie Wilson sent in a cross from range. Schiemann headed up the ball and Schlegel headed the ball herself into the goal on what would be the game-winner.
NEXT UP
Penn State earns the Big Ten's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. It will mark the Nittany Lions' 28th straight appearance in the national tournament.
The selection show, which will reveal the tournament bracket, will air live on NCAA.com at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7.
The Penn State women's soccer season is presented by the Smeal College of Business.
