Penn State women’s soccer (9-3-1, 3-2 Big Ten) squeezed past Nebraska (4-7, 1-4 Big Ten) on Sunday.

Penn State got an early lead in the 16th minute after a free-kick goal. It controlled the game in the first half but struggled to maintain its momentum into the second. Nebraska out-shot Penn State but failed to convert its opportunities due to Penn State’s strong defense and the Nittany Lions were able to break their losing streak.

How It Happened

Nebraska came out of the gates first, running straight towards the goal and getting a shot off that went wide for no real threat to Penn State.

The Nittany Lions broke into the box in the seventh minute as Jordan Fusco made a run in, squaring the ball but goalkeeper Samantha Hauk was there to grab it.

Penn State gained possession, controlling the tempo of the game. Amelia White made strong runs towards the box for the Nittany Lions, but Nebraska’s defense stayed tight and they could not convert the chances.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute as White won a free kick right outside the box. Defender Mieke Schiemann stepped up as White tapped the ball back to her and Schiemann blasted the kick into the top right corner to put Penn State up 1-0.

The Cornhuskers won the ball in midfield, crossing it into the top of the box with Sarah Weber’s header hitting the crossbar.

Penn State controlled possession, taking play slow to look around for runs instead of forcing any. Fusco broke down the sideline, receiving the ball on the run and crossing it to the middle where the Cornhuskers headed it out and caught Penn State on an offsides trap.

Nebraska fought back for the ball, causing a power struggle but Penn State’s defense came out on top to settle down play.

Rebecca Cooke got off another shot for Penn State in the closing minutes of the half, but her shot was off target for a goal kick. Penn State smothered the Nebraska attack and had a strong build-up from the half but the first 45 minutes ended, with Penn State still in the lead 1-0.

Nebraska came out hot from halftime, cutting across Penn State’s defense and finding a striker open in the box but Penn State goalkeeper Amanda Poorbaugh was able to save the shot.

The Cornhuskers got off a slew of shots, reaching 14 on the night. However, only three of their shots were on goal due to Poorbaugh’s presence and Penn State’s strong defense.

Fusco won the ball in midfield in an aggressive battle, sending it straight downfield to try to put some pressure on Nebraska’s back and fill the box but it went straight to Hauk as no Penn State players were up high enough.

The Nittany Lions had another strong chance in the 73rd minute. Forward Aubrey Kulpa ran down the line, leaving defenders in the dust. She crossed it in for Cooke near the penalty spot, but Cooke’s touch was too hard and it fell right to Hauk.

With Nebraska controlling more possession in this half, Penn State started to get sloppy and force offensive plays, sending long balls again and again that would turn possession back to the Cornhuskers.

With just under ten minutes to play, Penn State won a throw-in at the top of Nebraska’s half. It sent the ball back, searching for an open player through Nebraska’s high press. White was bullied off the ball but fought back, sending it downfield to Kaitlyn MacBean. The attacker crossed it in for Fusco but she was outnumbered by the Cornhuskers and her hit went out for a goal kick.

The Nittany Lions won a corner kick with three minutes to play, blocking out the Cornhuskers to maintain its lead and prevent a counter. Olivia Damico’s throw-in was intercepted by Nebraska and it won a free kick from the scuffle.

The Cornhuskers brought everyone up for its final attempt in the dwindling 90 seconds. They sent the ball high into the box where Weber headed it towards the net. Penn State defender Kayleigh Herr slipped in the box, allowing Abbey Schwarz to get off a shot for Nebraska that went inches over the crossbar.

The missed shot marked the last chance of the game and Penn State secured its 1-0 win.

Takeaways

• Penn State’s offensive output has struggled the last few games. It recorded only seven shots for the day, with five on goal.
• The Nittany Lions’ defense has stayed strong this season, even as their offense has struggled. Nebraska had 17 shots today, with only four on goal due to the backline’s strength. Poorbaugh also recorded three saves for the day to clean another clean sheet for the season.
• When Penn State’s possession drops, its play gets sloppy and aggressive. It gave away 16 fouls today that awarded Nebraska too many free kicks and gave away possession countless times. If it wants to win possession back, it needs to stop giving it away through pointless fouls.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will return home to take on Rutgers. The game will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, at Jeffrey Field.