Penn State women’s soccer kicked off its season in Piscataway, New Jersey with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at the hands of Rutgers.

The Nittany Lions led the match with a quick goal in the second minute, but Rutgers took back control in the second half off of a brace from Amirah Ali.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions got their season off to a hot start, as Kristin Schnurr got on the board in the second minute. Ellie Wheeler’s shot was deflected, and Schnurr was there to pounce via a Kerry Abello assist.

Penn State continued to play aggressively through the first half, taking multiple shots on goal.

Rutgers’ Nicole Binkley tested goalie Katherine Asman for the first time of the game around the half-hour mark, and that got the Scarlet Knights more into the game.

The Nittany Lions went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead, but Rutgers came out strong in the closing period. Samantha Kroeger equalized in the 62nd minute, which opened the game up.

The Nittany Lions had a corner kick soon after and a shot in the bottom right by Frankie Tagliaferri with hopes of pulling ahead, but McClelland saved the shot.

Substitute Ally Schlegel assisted on a Payton Linnehan goal that put the Nittany Lions ahead for the second time of the game in the 73rd minute, but the Scarlet Knights immediately responded.

Rutgers substituted four players following the goal, allowing Amirah Ali to level the score under two minutes later.

Penn State pressured in the closing 15 minutes, including a Payton Linnehan shot that hit the crossbar.

However, the Nittany Lions were undone in the 87th minute off of a Rutgers counter attack. Ali banged in her second of the afternoon and sent Penn State packing.

Player of the Match

Ally Schlegel | Redshirt Sophomore | Striker

Schlegel came off the bench with fire and assisted on the Nittany Lions second goal of the matchl. Her aggressive play was key in the eventual defeat.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will take on Northwestern University on February 25 in Illinois.