Linnehan’s overtime strike lifts Penn State over Saint Louis.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Entering the afternoon looking to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, Penn State did just that as they defeated Saint Louis University at Jeffrey Field by a score of 4-3 in overtime.

Both sides had some chances to start overtime, but it would be Penn State who would turn their chance into a goal.

In the 98th minute, Olivia Borgen loped up the pitch before sending a through ball to Linnehan in the box. The Massachusetts native dribbled around Puricelli and sent a blast into the vacated net to give Penn State the lead.

The Billikens would do their best to force penalty kicks but were stymied by a Nittany Lion defense that did not allow a shot attempt following the goal.

Both sides opened the match aggressively, resulting in some solid early chances, but it would be the blue and white who would open the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Mieke Schiemann played a pass to Ellie Wheeler on the wing, who sent a cross into the box that eluded three Billiken defenders and landed on Kaitlyn MacBean's right boot. The Minnesota native made no mistake sending a perfect strike into the bottom left corner.

A little over a minute later, MacBean would strike again.

Eva Alonso played a long ball forward to Kate Weisner, who sent a through ball to MacBean. The redshirt junior danced around a defender before dribbling to the six-yard box and sending a blast into the top right corner.

Eight minutes later, Saint Louis would answer back. Katie Houck would send a cross into the box that appeared to be going straight into the arms of goalkeeper Katherine Asman, but Hannah Larson beat her to the ball and headed it in to cut the deficit to one.

Kaelyn Wolfe looked to answer back in the 38th minute when the freshman corralled a deflected pass before dribbling to the top of the 18-yard box and unleashing a strike that hit the post.

The Billikens would continue to push for an equalizer and finally receive it in the 65th minute.

Emily Gaebe stole the ball from Michela Agresti and sent a shot that trickled past Asman to tie the game at two.

Six minutes later, the Billikens would take the lead.

Rowan Lapi took Larson down just outside the 18-yard box, setting up a dangerous free-kick opportunity for the white and blue. The Missouri native would send the ensuing free kick over the outstretched arms of Asman and into the top left corner to give Saint Louis the lead.

Penn State would push for an equalizer and nearly scored multiple times, but MacBean had a shot denied by the post, and Cori Dyke had a penalty kick stopped by Emily Puricelli.

Just as it appeared the Nittany Lions season would be coming to an end, Schiemann became the hero for the blue and white.

After Wheeler drew a foul, Dyke swung the ensuing free kick into the box that Schiemann managed to head into the back of the net to tie the game.

With the win, Penn State moves on to the Elite Eight while Saint Louis University’s campaign comes to an end.

Next up for the Nittany Lions is the aforementioned fourth round of the NCAA Tournament, as the blue and white will square off against Clemson on either Nov 24 or Nov 25 at Riggs Field, with the kick-off time still being determined.

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.