Penn State Women’s Soccer Wins Overtime Thriller to Advance in NCAA Tournament
In a match that had fans on edge all afternoon, the Penn State Nittany Lions finished off the No. 3 seeded USC Trojans after penalty kicks.
Star forward Ally Schlegel led Penn State throughout the entire match starting and finished the scoring for the Nittany Lions.
Early in the first half Schlegel opened up the Trojan defense for an electric first goal but was called back by the sideline official for offsides.
She quickly shook that call off and opened the scoring for good in the 21st minute putting Penn State ahead 1-0.
The Nittany Lions were able to take the lead into half but were unable to hold on for much longer.
Penelope Hocking, the Trojan’s second-leading scorer, netted her 12th goal of the season tying the match less than five minutes into the second half.
Penn State recaptured the lead through a familiar connection between Sam Coffey and Schlegel. Schlegel scored her second of the match when a Coffey header put her one-on-one with the goalie in the 57th minute.
USC’s leading scorer, Croix Bethune, created a moment of inspiration that tied the game in the 86th minute as she got the ball to teammate Simone Jackson who tied the game 2-2.
Overtime provided some tense moments with the Trojans getting a handful of efforts toward Penn State goalkeeper Katherine Asman but to no avail.
The match would carry on through two 10-minute overtime periods and head to a penalty shootout.
Asman, who had a career-high 11 saves in the match, stopped the Trojans first attempt from the spot and propelled the Nittany Lions to winning the nerve-filled shootout.
Penn State converted on all five of its penalty kicks to upset USC in an even match all the way to the end.
Naturally, it was Ally Schlegel who scored the final penalty kick, sending the Nittany Lions to the round of 16 yet again.
Maclain Young is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email macyoung21@gmail.com.
