Women’s Soccer Headed to the NCAA College Cup
Penn State women’s soccer is headed to the NCAA College Cup after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers 2 - 0 in the NCAA Quarterfinals Saturday at Jeffrey Field.
The Nittany Lions have been near perfect this whole tournament, shutting out their opponents in every game, with this match being no exception. Nickolette Driesse and Mallory Weber recorded shots in the opening ten minutes of match, sparking the Nittany Lion offense. Emily Ogle opened the scoring for the Nittany Lions in the 11th minute after a set piece from 30 yards out. Ogle’s goal was her fourth in the NCAA tournament, and seventh of the 2015 campaign.
Right before the halftime whistle, freshman Ellie Jean got the assist as Frannie Crouse buried the second and final goal of the game, making it her 10th goal of the season. Minutes later, the Mountaineers attempted to counter, recording two straight shots on senior goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. Eckerstrom saved both to preserve the Nittany Lion shut out.
Throughout the second half, West Virginia created a few chances but were unable to get the ball past Eckerstrom. Penn State finished the game outshooting their opponent 14 - 10 and the Nittany Lion defense recorded their sixth-straight shutout with 13 shutouts in total this season.
Head Coach Erica Walsh praised the senior class after the victory: “Obviously this is a really special senior class for us and to watch them lead and to watch them grow. Britt Ekerstrom was fabulous tonight in goal. All of our seniors have been so special throughout this final run of the season here. And to watch these young players just grow as a season goes on has just been really impressive. And there's so much to be proud of with this group."
The Nittany Lions will play Big Ten Conference opponent Rutgers in the semifinals of the College Cup on Friday, December 4th in Cary, North Carolina. The game begins at 5 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.
The Nittany Lions have been near perfect this whole tournament, shutting out their opponents in every game, with this match being no exception. Nickolette Driesse and Mallory Weber recorded shots in the opening ten minutes of match, sparking the Nittany Lion offense. Emily Ogle opened the scoring for the Nittany Lions in the 11th minute after a set piece from 30 yards out. Ogle’s goal was her fourth in the NCAA tournament, and seventh of the 2015 campaign.
Right before the halftime whistle, freshman Ellie Jean got the assist as Frannie Crouse buried the second and final goal of the game, making it her 10th goal of the season. Minutes later, the Mountaineers attempted to counter, recording two straight shots on senior goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. Eckerstrom saved both to preserve the Nittany Lion shut out.
Throughout the second half, West Virginia created a few chances but were unable to get the ball past Eckerstrom. Penn State finished the game outshooting their opponent 14 - 10 and the Nittany Lion defense recorded their sixth-straight shutout with 13 shutouts in total this season.
Head Coach Erica Walsh praised the senior class after the victory: “Obviously this is a really special senior class for us and to watch them lead and to watch them grow. Britt Ekerstrom was fabulous tonight in goal. All of our seniors have been so special throughout this final run of the season here. And to watch these young players just grow as a season goes on has just been really impressive. And there's so much to be proud of with this group."
The Nittany Lions will play Big Ten Conference opponent Rutgers in the semifinals of the College Cup on Friday, December 4th in Cary, North Carolina. The game begins at 5 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPNU.
