No. 4 Penn State Women’s Soccer Inches Closer to Big Ten Title with Triumph Over No. 19 Indiana

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In the first of two ranked matchups to close out the regular season, the No. 4 Penn State women’s soccer team (12-0-4 overall, 6-0-3 Big Ten) continued its undefeated march toward a Big Ten regular season crown, as the squad handled its business against No. 19 Indiana (11-2-4 overall, 5-2-2 Big Ten) in a 2-0 decision.

Playing without key contributors Payton Linnehan and Eva Alonso in the contest, the Nittany Lions started slow in the opening half, as Indiana controlled much of the possession through the game’s first 45 minutes.

But the match’s turning point came just before the 20-minute mark, as an Indiana yellow card led to a set-piece opportunity for Penn State. The Nittany Lions cashed in on the chance, as fifth-year defender Kate Wiesner found the back of the net for her second goal of the season, giving Penn State a first-half advantage.

The yellow card committed by Indiana was just one example of the physical nature of the game as the Hoosiers scratched and clawed to try and pull off the upset. In addition to the yellow card, Indiana also had 14 fouls over the course of the contest.

“This is the Big Ten, we’re used to that [physicality],” Wiesner said. “We’ve been playing against that for years. We know we’re gonna expect that from our opponents, and it’s something that we’re gonna try and match.”

The Nittany Lions matched the intensity but were more disciplined in doing so, as Penn State only committed three fouls – despite picking up two yellow cards – throughout the game.

The blue and white came out looking like a completely different team in the second half, as the offensive attack picked up the potency from the first whistle of the period. Indiana goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg made a series of impressive saves to try and prevent Penn State from getting the insurance goal it needed to put the game out of reach.

But the proverbial dam finally broke with just under 10 minutes left in the game. Redshirt sophomore Julia Raich collected a feed from Amelia White and hammered home her third goal of the season – but first since the season-opener – to lock up the win for Penn State.

The triumph in the “Wear Pink” match was Penn State’s second over a ranked opponent in 2023 and sixth total victory in Big Ten play.

But beyond that, the win sets the stage for the regular season finale against No. 21 Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct. 22. A victory in that contest would clinch the Big Ten championship for the Nittany Lions, and would make Penn State the tenth unbeaten regular season champion in the history of the conference.

“We have an opportunity to win a trophy on Sunday, so all eyes on Wisconsin moving forward,” Wiesner said. “Those are the games that you live for, those are the games that you spend all your training for.”

“To be able to have that opportunity to compete for a championship at home on Jeffrey, it doesn’t get better than that.”

Kasey Kreider is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kmk6865@psu.edu.