MacBean’s two goals push No. 4 Penn State past Ohio State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 4 Penn State found itself in difficult spots early and often against Ohio State Sunday afternoon. However, Kaitlyn MacBean’s two goals, including the game-winner in the 88th minute, changed the game in the Nittany Lions’ favor, ensuring a 2-1 home victory at Jeffrey Field.

“A lot of things went wrong for us today,” head coach Erica Dambach said after the game. “We were able to bend, not break.”

Penn State quickly encountered the Buckeyes’ physicality when forward Peyton Linnehan left the game in the second minute and did not return. Midfielder Cori Dyke also needed help within the first ten minutes, but she remained in the game. Dambach credited her team’s mentality for taming the early scares.

“We talked about doing whatever is necessary and I think we’re willing to get into those tackles if necessary,” she said. “We showed that today.”

Ohio State outshot the Nittany Lions, 17-10, and had plenty of chances in the first half. The Buckeyes did not score until midfielder Peyton McNamara sent a shot past Penn State goalkeeper Katherine Asman in the 36th minute. The goal marked the first time in the entire season the blue and white had trailed in a game.

“They came out and they came after us,” Dambach said. “We didn’t respond in the way we needed to.”

Penn State would not go down and responded by controlling possession after the McNamara goal. In the 43rd minute, MacBean equalized when her shot found the net, tying the game at one going into halftime.

“We were gonna do our jobs and find a way to score before the half,” MacBean said. “I think the reaction was huge.”

Penn State rode its momentum into the second half, looking for the go-ahead goal, but its attempts were stopped by Buckeyes goalkeeper Molly Pritchard.

The Nittany Lions found themselves in another tough spot later in the second half. Penn State defender Michaela Agresti bailed her team out when she flew into Ohio State’s Amanda Schlueter, preventing a goal and forcing an unsuccessful Buckeyes corner-kick attempt.

Penn State continued to rack up more chances as the game continued and eventually earned a corner kick in the 88th minute. MacBean headed a shot from Dyke and Elle Kershner past Pritchard and into the net, putting Penn State in front.

Sunday’s game was the Wear White game at Jeffrey Field, and Dambach credited the crowd and fanfare for her team’s success.

“Having the Blue Band out here today and the crowd showing up in chilly weather, that’s Penn State, that’s State College,” she said. “We needed their energy today.”

Penn State improved to 11-0-2 and 5-0-1 in the Big Ten following its victory, and it hopes to keep its streak going when it visits Purdue Thursday night.

Will Duerksen is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email wdd5066@psu.edu.