No. 12 Penn State survives against No. 19 Saint Louis with a 2-1 victory

St. Louis, MO.-- Penn State traveled to Robert R. Hermann Stadium for its first road test of the season and once again, Kaitlyn MacBean showed out for the Nittany Lions.

MacBean led the team in both shots and shots on goal with five of the team’s 15 shots and three of the team’s eight shots on goal.

She opened up the scoring within just the first three minutes of the game on the first attempt of the game with a left-footed shot to the bottom right of the goal assisted by Ameilia White.

The Nittany Lions’ opportunities were numerous early in the first half, and within the first 12 minutes of the game, MacBean had her second goal on three shots with help from Jordan Fusco.

But after the second goal, Saint Louis looked determined to stay within reach, controlling possession over the next ten minutes, highlighted by four corner kicks, two blocked shots and a great chance to get one back which was saved by Amanda Poorbaugh.

At about the 25-minute mark, Penn State was finally able to win a free kick and halt the Billikens’ momentum, but for the rest of the first half, chances were limited by both defenses. Fusco had a good look and her shot on target was saved by Emily Puricelli in the 34th minute.

In the closing minutes of the first half Bella Ayscue was shown a yellow card, and Poorbaugh saved the Billikens shot on goal, this time denying Audrey Smith.

Coming out for the second half, the Billikens looked determined and did an excellent job not only controlling possession but denying MacBean chances to get her a second hat-trick in as many matches.

Within the first two minutes of the second half, Saint Louis earned a penalty kick and Elise Le converted to the left side of the net to cut Penn State’s lead in half.

Saint Louis looked to continue applying pressure on the Nittany Lions following the goal and put up five shots in the next ten minutes, but only one needed to be saved by Poorbaugh.

A shot on target from Fusco in the 59th minute looked like a great opportunity to give Penn State insurance, but another save from Puricelli kept the Billikens’ hopes alive.

MacBean’s last opportunity of the day came in the 66th minute, aimed in the bottom left, but Puricelli earned her fourth save of the day and after that, the Billikens were able to out-possess the Nittany Lions throughout the rest of the match.

In the 78th minute, Saint Louis earned another golden opportunity of a penalty kick given up by Kaelyn Wolfe, but Emily Gaebe missed the target just wide right of the bottom corner.

After that, Penn State seemed to be inspired to hold onto the lead, and after that they did not allow any more chances for the Billikens in the final ten minutes, cruising to a 2-1 victory.

The team will return to Happy Valley this week in advance of an early weekend road trip starting on Thursday at Princeton, and concluding on Sunday in the nation's capital versus currently ranked No. 23 Georgetown.

Carson Schuler is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him please email cts5357@psu.edu