Penn State women’s soccer (8-3-5, 6-2-3 Big Ten) ties No. 24 Michigan (7-4-5, 5-4-2 Big Ten) 2-2 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon.

A wild second-half comeback from Michigan ends the game in a draw.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions started the game dominating possession. Their defense was completely shutting down the Wolverines’ offense, not letting them make a single move.

Despite this, Michigan had a chance in the 18th minute off a free kick just outside the box. Midfielder Ali Walick just missed the goal.

Not long after, Penn State defender Bella Ayscue passed to defender Lilly Burger in the box. Burger jumped and headed the ball over the goalkeeper’s hand to give Penn State a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

Even though it scored only one goal in the first half, Penn State controlled the entire half. The Nittany Lions had eight shots compared to Michigan’s two.

In addition, the Nittany Lions earned four corner kicks while holding the Wolverines to zero.

The second half started scrappy, with four fouls committed in the first six minutes. Michigan committed three of these fouls as it tried to gain any advantage it could.

Michigan’s first shot on goal came in the 58th minute, but Penn State’s goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress made a diving save to stop it and force a corner kick.

After the corner kick, the Wolverines headed the ball towards the goal again, but Gress made another diving stop to prevent a score

This led to another Michigan corner kick, which resulted in another Gress save.

After this series of events, it felt like momentum shifted in Michigan’s favor. The Wolverines managed to get many more shots up after only taking two shots in the first half.

In the 65th minute, Penn State’s Ditke Bang lost her footing with some contact in the box, and a penalty was called. After a VAR review, the penalty was overturned, prompting cheers from the fans in Ann Arbor.

Just two minutes later, Michigan forward Elle Ervin received the ball and shot a missile into the top left corner past Gress to tie the game. Midfielder Lilley Bosley assisted the goal.

The Wolverines were a very different team from half to half. After having no shots on goal in the first half, they put their foot on the gas and had seven in the second half.

This didn’t matter to forward Aubrey Kulpa, who scored the lead-taking goal in the 80th minute for Penn State. Forward Ellie Kocher took a shot that went just under Michigan goalkeeper Malia Zillman’s leg. It ended up in a perfect position for Kulpa to send it into the back of the net.

The lead didn’t last long, as Ervin struck again in the 84th minute. She tied the game again at 2-2 off an assist from defender Annabelle Egeland.

Penn State tried to get another chance late, but Michigan’s defense held firm and kept the game tied.

Takeaways

• With their last win over Michigan State, Penn State clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament and continues to climb.
• Mackenzie Gress finished with seven saves, all in the second half.
• Penn State had only two shots on goal, both of which resulted in goals.
• Penn State had a four-point week against two ranked teams on the road.
• Aubrey Kulpa continues to shine, scoring her eighth goal of the season.

What’s Next?

Penn State returns home to Happy Valley to take on the Indiana Hoosiers at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 30. This is Penn State’s final regular-season game, and it will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.