Penn State (8-3-3, 4-2-1 Big Ten) defeated Michigan (2-5-7, 1-1-5 Big Ten) 4-0 in its final home conference game on Sunday.

After falling to Rutgers five days ago, Penn State was able to bounce back and control the game against the Wolverines despite the glaring sun and strong gusts of wind.

How It Happened

Penn State dominated possession for the entirety of the first half. The Nittany Lions had five shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, while Michigan had none.

In the 18th minute, Caden Grabfelder cut the ball to his left foot before sending a screamer from just outside the box into the top left corner to give Penn State a 1-0 lead.

Just four minutes later, Atem Kato found himself near the end line with an open dribbling path toward the middle of the field. He found Grabfelder at the top of the box, who dumped it off to Peter Mangione. Mangione wasted no time in ripping the ball off his right foot to score.

Penn State nearly ended the first half with another goal, but the ball sailed just over the net off the head of Ben Liscum, and the Nittany Lions entered the locker room with a 2-0 lead.

The beginning of the second half became a game of keepaway, as the Nittany Lions did everything they could to hold on to their lead, and few offensive chances came for either team. However, in the 69th minute, Femi Awodesu got fouled as he entered the box, setting up his first penalty shot of the season.

Awodesu lined up for the shot, and after a confident few steps, he knocked the ball into the bottom right corner to beat the outstretched arms of Michigan goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson to put the Nittany Lions up by three goals. It was Awodesu’s second goal of the season.

The team in blue and white was not done there. In the 82nd minute, freshman Morgan Marshall had a breakaway and scooted it by Goldson to connect on his first career goal to make it a 4-0 lead.

The remaining eight minutes went by with limited action, and with the sun setting, Penn State defeated its rival 4-0.

Takeaways

• Penn State was simply clicking today. The back line moved the ball up the field with ease, and once it got there, the forwards were able to capitalize. When the team passes with as much chemistry as it did in this game, they are extremely hard to defend.
• Have a day, seniors. Being honored after the game was even sweeter for the team’s two seniors, Peter Mangione and Femi Awodesu, after they both found the back of the net.
• The defense worked as a unit today and allowed Kris Shakes to have an easy day in net. It took 78 minutes for the Wolverines to even put a shot on goal. Plus, three of the team’s four goals came from defenders.

What’s Next?

Penn State will return to Jeffery Field for the last time in the regular season on Wednesday, October 25 at 6 p.m. to face Detroit Mercy. The game will be broadcast on BTN+.