No. 2 Penn State (0-0-1) returned to the pitch Sunday following its dramatic overtime draw with No. 6 West Virginia on Friday night. The Nittany Lions hosted Hofstra (1-0-0) at Jeffrey Field hoping to grab their first win of the season. The Pride already won a match at Jeffrey Field, defeating Buffalo 1-0 as part of a doubleheader with the Penn State-West Virginia match, but couldn’t secure another win against the defending national champions.

How It Happened

Penn State had the run of play for most of the first half, but fell behind after a dangerous corner kick delivery from Hofstra went awry. Penn State freshman goalkeeper Amanda Dennis couldn’t get a handle on the left-footed curler, and it ended up in the back of the net to give Hofstra and early 1-0 lead.

The Nittany Lions continued to plug away, and finally netted the equalizer midway through the first half. Nickolette Driesse’s rocket from outside the box found the post, but Charlotte Williams was there for the rebound to tie the game.

Penn State gained a significant advantage after a Hofstra tackle on a Penn State breakaway resulted in a red card and a Penn State free kick. The Nittany Lions went up a player and a goal as Williams curled the free kick around the right side of the wall for her second goal of the game. Penn State went into the half with a 2-1 lead.

The Nittany Lions created a handful of opportunities through most of the second half, but struggled to find a third goal. Hofstra, on the other hand, couldn’t create anything going forward. Charlotte Williams came close to scoring her hat trick with a shot from about 20 yards out, but Hofstra goalkeeper Friederike Mehring punched the goal-bound shot over the crossbar.

Finally with just minutes remaining, Salina Williford blasted a shot from the top corner of the box out of the keeper’s reach to score the elusive third goal. The goal put the game out of reach for Hofstra and Penn State secured its first win of the season 3-1.

Player Of The Game

Charlotte Williams | Midfield | Sophomore

Williams netted the first two Nittany Lion goals. Her second, a top-notch curling free kick, ended up being the game’s clincher.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions return to Jeffrey Field next Friday for another nationally ranked clash against BYU. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m.