When Iowa’s Corey Burns took a corner in the fifth minute and turned it into an Olimpico, it appeared Iowa was ready to play spoiler on yesterday’s Senior Day. Salina Williford, Emily Ogle, and Kori Chapic had other ideas.

Burns’ goal, despite its class, lit a fire under the Lions. Penn State began an absolute barrage on goal, outshooting Iowa 10-1 to close the half. It couldn’t get past keeper Hannah Clark, who recorded six saves in the first 45 minutes, but something had to give, especially after a rocket off the crossbar. With offensive firepower like that and dominant, poised possession, the Lions were ready to break through as the half ended.

The break did nothing to quell the Penn State attack, as the relentless approach picked back up at the whistle. The efforts in front of goal finally bore fruit in the 53rd minute, as an effervescent Salina Williford found Emily Ogle in midfield. Ogle played a beautiful ball in to senior Kori Chapic on the wing, and Chapic connected with an absolute laser from 25 yards out to equalize.

On Senior Day, with the crowd in the game and the offense on fire, you knew a breakthrough was coming. The Lions would not be held to one goal, and sure enough, that dominant triumvirate struck again five minutes later. Ogle took a ball down in midfield and played it quickly to Williford, who played the ball to the talismanic Chapic. She calmly dribbled the ball in and dipped another beautiful shot just under the crossbar for the winner. It was the first career brace for Chapic, whose offense was matched by Britt Eckerstrom in goal. Aside from the Olimpico, which was placed so perfectly Tim Howard wouldn’t have stopped it, Eckerstrom was again dominant in picking up her 16th win.

The Nittany Lions will play one more home game on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Maryland before the Big Ten Tournament commences in West Lafayette, Indiana.