Kate Wiesner’s goal with 47 seconds left propelled No. 14 Penn State women’s soccer (6-1) to a 1-0 win over NC State (4-2-2) on Sunday at the neutral Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Kat Asman had yet another impressive match in goal, as the Nittany Lions were outshot 11-8, and only put two attempts on target.

How It Happened

Interestingly, Erica Dambach made a few changes to the starting 11. Devon Olive and Elle Kershner both began the match, while Kerry Abello and Kate Wiesner dropped to the bench.

Starting XI vs. NC State

Dyke, Shimkin, Wasserman, Myers, Linnehan, Olive, Wheeler, Coffey, Kershner, Schlegel, Asman (GK) pic.twitter.com/cR98FAvA6j

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) September 12, 2021

Penn State produced the first good chance of the afternoon in the seventh minute, with a nice exchange leading to a shot from Sam Coffey, resulting in the Nittany Lions’ first corner of the match.

The Nittany Lions had long spells of possession throughout the first half, although it was NC State that came out with the best chances. Kat Asman did a good job controlling the backline as the Wolfpack began to impose themselves, as the goalkeeper was forced to make two big saves in the 13th and 16th minutes from Toni Starova.

Wiesner and Abello were both subbed within 10 minutes of the flurry around the quarter-hour mark from NC State. Their introductions sparked some attacking progress, but both teams nonetheless went into the break scoreless.

The start of the second half was once again highlighted by NC State’s Starova, who forced Asman into a save in the 52nd minute. Abello hit back under a minute later with a shot on the opposing end, but her attempt missed the top right corner.

The rest of the half was much of the same from the first 45. Penn State had the ball, but it was the Wolfpack carving out the legitimate chances.

However, things changed with under a minute to play, and it was the two left out of the starting lineup that connected for the game winner.

Abello received the ball out wide, and crossed in to Kate Wiesner. The junior pushed it past Maria Echezarreta with 89:13 played to seal the Nittany Lions’ sixth win of the year before the sudden death overtime was triggered.

https://twitter.com/PennStateWSOC/status/1437173433780031490

Player Of The Match

Kate Wiesner, Defender

This match wasn’t the best Penn State performance by any stretch of the imagination. However, the Nittany Lions won it ugly and Wiesner gets credit for clinching the win.

It will be interesting to see if this forces Dambach’s hand, and Wiesner heads back into the starting 11 for the remainder of the road trip.

What’s Next

Penn State has midweek off, and will wait until Sunday for its final match of this long road trip. The Nittany Lions will begin their Big Ten slate at noon on Sunday against Rutgers, with the match streaming live on BTN.