No. 16 Penn State (4-2-1) played La Salle at Jeffrey Field Sunday afternoon in the final game before the start of Big Ten play. The Explorers (2-4) came into Happy Valley hoping to pull off an upset and get back to .500 on the season, but the Nittany Lions prevailed in a 2-0 win.

How It Happened

Not expecting to face much defensively, Penn State pressed high early in the game and pressured the Explorers from the opening whistle. This gave outside back Brittany Basinger more freedom to move forward.

This paid off in the 19th minute when she took the ball on the left flank and ran it to the end line before pinpointing a cross to Frannie Crouse in the middle of the box. Crouse took a touch and fired the shot past the keeper for a 1-0 Penn State lead.

Penn State continued the pressure, out-shooting La Salle 10-0 in the first half. However, the Nittany Lions wouldn’t get their second goal until the 41st minute. Alina Ortega-Jurado’s low corner kick was deflected and left sitting just outside the six yard box for Grace Fisk. Fisk stepped up and roofed her shot into the net to make 2-0 going into the half.

La Salle seemed more lively going forward in the second half, but didn’t have the precision in the final third to create quality chances. This allowed Penn State more space to work with in its attack, but the Nittany Lions couldn’t convert for a third goal.

The Nittany Lions continued to push forward until the final whistle and never looked out of control. Amanda Dennis posted her second career shutout on the way to a 2-0 win over the Explorers.

Player Of The Game

Grace Fisk | Defender | Freshman

Fisk scored her first career goal getting on the end of a corner kick, but was active on set pieces all game. The defender registered three shots, all coming off corner kicks.

What’s Next

Penn State will open Big Ten play on the road against Minnesota on Friday. Kick off will be at 8 p.m. and the game will air live on BTN.