Penn State women’s soccer (2-1-2) drew Virginia Tech (4-0-3) 1-1 at Jeffrey Field on Thursday night.

After going up early, the Nittany Lions played solid defense for much of the match before allowing a goal in the 85th minute, leading to their second draw of the young season.

How It Happened

The Hokies controlled possession to start, with Mackenzie Gress being forced to make a save early. Soon after, however, a Nittany Lion turnover far into their defensive zone led to a goal by Anna Weir, but it was ruled offside after review.

The two teams then traded possession until the Nittany Lions were awarded the first corner kick of the game, with Aubrey Kulpa soaring it over an open net to keep the game scoreless.

Just under 15 minutes into the contest, a drive by Kulpa forced Virginia Tech’s Peyton May to commit a foul inside her team’s penalty area, giving Paige Kalal a penalty shot. Kalal buried it in the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

Pinpoint on the PK from PK #WeAre | #PSWS pic.twitter.com/jFP5JD937L

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) September 3, 2026

Penn State continued to control possession after the goal, with a shot deflected by Bella Ayscue leading to the match’s second corner kick. On the ensuing play, a Kayleigh Herr header floated just wide of the net, and the Nittany Lion lead remained at one.

A Virginia Tech corner soon followed, with Gress stopping two good looks from the Hokies.

After a throw-in, Nicole Crane dribbled past a defender and approached the Virginia Tech net before poking one just wide of the goal.

With the end of the first half drawing near, Penn State’s defense kept the ball out of harm’s way and sustained possession on the other end.

In the final minutes of the opening 45, the Nittany Lion offense forced a yellow card on Gabby Ciocca and nearly scored a goal to double their lead. However, it was ruled offside, and Penn State settled for a 1-0 advantage going into the locker room.

The Hokies started to show more life as the second half kicked off, with their best look of the night coming off the foot of Eliana Salama. The rocket of a shot sailed just over the Nittany Lion goal.

Another good look for Virginia Tech soon followed, as Gress got just enough of a shot by Salama to deflect it above the net.

Penn State responded with a near goal of its own after an Ellie Kocher header ricocheted off the crossbar and stayed out of the Hokie net.

Just past the midway point of the second half, Gress robbed Anna Garrow with a diving save to keep the Nittany Lions out in front.

Alternating possessions followed, with neither team able to get a good look at the opposing net.

With full time looming near, Virginia Tech ramped it up offensively, drawing a yellow card on Kocher. Ciocca then got one just past the reach of Gress to tie the game in the 85th minute.

A last-minute effort by Kulpa was saved by Julianna Trujillo to keep the game at 1-1 through the final whistle.

Takeaways

• Despite the late goal, Mackenzie Gress was unbelievable. The reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week saved 10 Hokie shots on net.
• Despite being outshot 21-14, Penn State controlled possession for much of the match, making it hard on Virginia Tech to amount to many great opportunities on offense until the closing moments.
• The Hokies showed great composure late, tying the game in the final minutes.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will open up Big Ten play on the road against Ohio State. The match is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Folks can follow along on the Big Ten Network.