MacBean's hat trick pushes Penn State over West Virginia

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- It was so nice, she decided to do it thrice at Jeffrey Field on a Thursday evening at Penn State.

Kaitlyn MacBean, the star forward for the Nittany Lions added to her already legendary season with three goals on the evening against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

With an incredible six goals in only four games now, MacBean is showing what a legendary player she can be already for Erica Dambach and Co.

Penn State was able to win their fourth game of the season by a final of 3-1. Forward Ajanae Respass for West Virginia put up the lone goal for the Mountaineers, as they fall to 2-2 now on the season.

West Virginia heads home for a three-game homestand, after a tough road trip that resulted in back-to-back losses against Clemson and Penn State.

As for the Nittany Lions, this moves them up to 3-1 overall on the season. They enter a three-game road trip now that starts with a Sweet 16 rematch from a year ago against a tough St. Louis women’s soccer team.

Another facet of Penn State's game that worked well in this game, along with the prior three has been the excellent defensive play.

“I think that group is starting to come together and that’s what they’re gonna have to do especially because we got a tough stretch ahead,” coach Dambach said.

The start wasn’t the best for the Nittany Lions, as West Virginia was able to show lots of pressure early. That hope diminished after the 14th minute when MacBean got loose for Penn State for her first goal of the game.

“She’s taking a lot more on her shoulders right now and we needed her to come through with a goal at that point because we were up against it,” Dambach said.

It didn’t take much longer for MacBean as eight minutes later she nodded her second goal of the contest.

Penn State was able to control possession through much of half number one due to the great play of the midfield.

Dambach understands, however, that her midfield will start to improve over time.

“Today was a tactical game and you know we’re 26 days into preseason and we’re growing better and better with each game,” she said.

The third goal for the superstar MacBean came in the 54th minute as freshman forward Aubrey Kulpa was able to make a tremendous feed that set up a one-timer for the leading goal scorer.

Besides a ranked loss to the Virginia Cavaliers one week ago, the Nittany Lions have been playing stellar games, allowing only one goal in the three games in which they have come out on top.

Penn State plays three more non-conference games before heading into Big Ten play with a Thursday night conference opener on Thursday, Sep. 12 against the Michigan Wolverines.

Two straight NCAA tournament teams from a year ago in St.Louis and Georgetown await the Nittany Lions, but for No. 12 Penn State, they are staying in the moment, and as of now it’s a good mood in Happy Valley.

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email him at gar5448@psu.edu.