Women’s Soccer Powers Past San Diego State 3-0
No. 16 Penn State (3-2-1) returned home to Jeffrey Field to play San Diego State in the first game of a doubleheader also featuring men’s soccer Friday night. The Aztecs (0-4-0) came into Happy Valley hoping to grab their first win of the season, but Erica Dambach’s Nittany Lions prevailed 3-0.
How It Happened
A number of chances characterized the opening minutes for the Nittany Lions, as Charlotte Williams nearly broke the deadlock just five minutes into the match, but she fired wide after a solid turn at the top of the box. Minutes later, Frannie Crouse’s shot from outside the box forced Aztec goalkeeper Gabby English to make a big save, knocking the ball over the crossbar.
Crouse would finally put Penn State ahead in the 29th minute. Senior captain Nickolette Driesse sent a ball over San Diego State’s back line right to a running Crouse. The Greensburg, Pa., native took a touch and tipped the ball over the keeper for the 1-0 lead. Driesse nearly followed that assist up with a goal of her own, but her long-distance effort hit the bar to keep the advantage at one. English would make a number of big saves after the Crouse goal to keep the score 1-0 going into the half.
Penn State came out in the second half and buried the Aztecs. A long ball played at midfield from Alina Ortega-Jurado to Megan Schafer at the top of the box ended up as the second goal of the match. Schafer turned and blasted a shot to the upper-right corner for the score. Moments later, Crouse netted her second of the evening, taking a touch past the keeper and shooting into the empty net to make it 3-0.
After the third goal, Erica Dambach got a chance to rotate different parts of her roster into the game, as Penn State kept up the pressure in the final stretch to seal the 3-0 victory.
Player Of The Match
Frannie Crouse | Forward | Junior
Crouse’s two goals helped the Nittany Lions power past the Aztecs for a much-needed win.
What’s Next
Penn State will be back in action on Sunday against La Salle, with kickoff at Jeffrey Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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