Penn State women’s soccer is almost halfway through the season, and what a season it’s been so far.

The No. 12 Nittany Lions are 7-1-1 and 1-0 in Big Ten play, with their only loss coming against No. 21 Virginia. Just last week, they dominated Michigan 6-0 and secured a senior day win on Sunday against Columbia, 2-1.

A big part in all of this success? Forward Kaitlyn MacBean.

The redshirt senior from Minnesota already has nine goals and one assist through the nine games this season. Throughout her time at Penn State, MacBean has recorded 22 goals and eight assists in 51 games, with 29 starts.

MacBean had a hot start to the season, being named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week at the beginning of September after scoring all of the Nittany Lions’ five goals in a game week while recording her third and fourth career multi-goal games.

In a big Penn State win against West Virginia, the forward recorded a hat trick in the 3-1 victory. With just a little help from her friends, MacBean continues to be the deciding factor for Penn State time after time.

“She’s taken more on her shoulders,” head coach Erica Dambach said after the West Virginia game. “We needed her to come through with a goal at that point.”

Since then, MacBean has added three more goals and an assist.

“It’s awesome…but it’s nothing without the people setting me up,” MacBean said.

Her hat trick against West Virginia marked the 25th in Penn State history and gave Penn State its first Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week since Penelope Hocking in September 2022.

MacBean’s two goals against St. Louis on September 1 gave her the No. 3 spot in Penn State’s record book for consecutive matches with a goal, scoring in eight appearances in a row dating back to last season’s NCAA tournament run.

Although her scoring may have slowed down a bit since St. Louis, with a goal and assist in the last four games, that doesn’t diminish the impact she has carried this season.

MacBean currently sits second in the Big Ten standings for points with 19 through the season so far.

MacBean’s been the most electrifying player this year, always making an impact and name for herself on the pitch. As she puts 51.3% of her shots on goal, Nittany Lions fans can count on MacBean to get the energy up and help continue Penn State’s hot streak. The attacker came back from injury her freshman year and has only continued to grow each season.

The Nittany Lions still have 10 games to play in the regular season, all Big Ten matchups, starting with a home match on Thursday, September 19, against Northwestern. The team will continue to rely on MacBean to lead the way to victory and hopefully secure another Big Ten title.