Penn State’s Homecoming weekend got started with a bang last night, as the women’s soccer team defeated the visiting Northwestern Wildcats 4-1.

While the offense generated by the Nittany Lions obviously helped things at Jeffrey Field, it was really the tenacity showed on the defensive end that willed the team to victory. This was evident, as the Wildcats were held to a lone shot on goal. Not much can be done when you only test the keeper once all game.

The Nittany Lions opened up the scoring early, as sophomore Salina Williford wove through the Northwestern defense to play a ball out to Emily Hurd, who sent a cross that was headed in by Raquel Rodriguez in the seventh minute. This was followed up by a Kori Chapic header in the 28th minute to make the game 2-0.

The scoring effort did not let up as the game progressed, as Megan Schafer’s 73rd minute chip shot put Penn State up 3-0. Salina Williford got in on the action as well, firing a shot past Northwestern goalkeeper Lauren Clem to make it 4-0 in the 80th minute.

The Nittany Lions would have recorded a shutout if it weren’t for the shot by Katie Landgrebe, who fired one past Nittany Lion goalkeeper Meghan Kaminski in the 87th minute.

It was a great display on both ends of the spectrum from the Nittany Lions, as they get the weekend festivities started off on a positive note. Penn State will look to continue its hot start against Illinois at home on Sunday at 1 p.m.