No. 11 Penn State women’s soccer defeats Liberty 2-1 in exciting finish
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. No. 11 Penn State defeated the Liberty Flames 2-1 in an exciting finish, thanks to a late go-ahead goal from Cori Dyke.
The blue and white wasted no time opening up the scoring to begin the match. Penn State barely missed the net but received a corner. The Nittany Lions took full advantage, with Mieke Schiemann scoring on a header to make it 1-0 at 2:48 in the first half.
The Nittany Lions controlled the game throughout the first portion of the opening half. They had multiple scoring chances, several of which barely missed the net. The Nittany Lions were physical and aggressive in imposing their will on Liberty.
Freshman Amelia White put her skills on full display. White sped down the field, dribbled past one Liberty defender, then knocked another to the ground on her way to the net. She did not score on the play, but it was a step in the right direction for Penn State after a Liberty corner kick that almost equalized the game.
Both teams had multiple close-scoring chances in the first half. However, Schiemann’s goal early on in the game ensured Penn State a 1-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Liberty started strong and capitalized on its momentum. At 49:08, Grace Spade beat Penn State goalkeeper Katherine Asman to send the ball flying into the back of the net and tie the game 1-1.
Liberty came extremely close to scoring again right afterward, but a Penn State defender stopped the ball before it passed the line. Still, the Flames were living up to their name by playing red-hot soccer.
Both teams played back-and-forth soccer, and each team continued to apply pressure on the other.
Penn State had another close scoring chance at 33:23 when Liberty goalkeeper Ainsley Leja slipped in front of the net trying to stop a Penn State push. However, the Flames ultimately kept the ball and resolved the situation without conceding a goal.
Penn State continued to apply pressure and take scoring chances throughout the second half but couldn’t counter Liberty’s goal early on in the sequence. One such chance came on a free kick after Liberty’s Allison Hansford was given a yellow card. Then, Penn State went barely wide of the net two more times within the next few minutes. Still, the Nittany Lions had the momentum.
Penn State eventually broke through. At 77:24 in the second half, Cori Dyke tapped the ball in the corner of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“It’s just surreal. I was so happy to be able to put that one in for the team,” said Dyke.
It was Dyke’s first career goal. “Better late than never,” said Dyke.
Dyke’s goal ended up being the dagger for Liberty, as Penn State defeated the Flames 2-1 for its fifth win of the season.
Nolan Wick is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email nhw5046@psu.edu.
