Penn State Women's Soccer keeps the good times rolling with a victory over Maryland

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A brisk Friday night at Jeffrey Field set the scene for Penn State’s senior night as the team opened up Big Ten conference play against the Maryland Terrapins.

While the Terps had the game’s first scoring opportunity with a free kick coming just beyond the 18-yard box towards the far sideline, the Nittany Lions quickly regained the momentum and never seemed to let it go.

In the seventh minute, a corner kick squeaked out of Maryland’s box and onto the foot of Kate Wiesner who ripped a shot into the back of the net for her first goal of the season and Penn State’s first goal of the night.

“Always want to score a goal like. Those are the types of things that you dream about scoring so to be able to do that on senior night was incredible,” Wiesner said after the game in regard to her goal.

Just a little while later in minute 13, Maryland got their first big opportunity of the night as Kennedy Bell accelerated towards Penn State’s goal and ripped a shot aimed for the low corner but connected with the post.

While the Nittany Lions would go on to consistently generate scoring chances in the first half, a major bright spot for the Terrapins was goalkeeper Liz Beardsley.

She managed 5 saves including multiple desperation dives, keeping the score 1-0 heading into halftime.

Coming out of the half, however, Penn State picked up right where they left off.

The offense kept the pressure on, resulting in quick, back-to-back goals by Ellie Wheeler (60’) and Olivia Borgen (71’), who leads the team in the category with four on the season.

Spanish midfielder Eva Alonso assisted on all three goals.

The scoring wouldn’t stop there though for the Nittany Lions, as Quinnipiac transfer Rebecca Cooke knocked in a header in the 83rd minute for the fourth Penn State goal of the evening and her second as a Nittany Lion.

That goal would then seal the victory, as Penn State would complete the shutout, winning by a score of 4-0.

While the offense was potent throughout the night, the defense continues to be just as impressive for the blue and white.

Goalkeeper Katherine Asman still has yet to allow a goal at Jeffrey Field.

When asked about the confidence Asman provides to the team, Eva Alonso said, “The goalkeeper is everything to us, both with the ball and without the ball. Knowing we have her on the back… we know we’re safe.”

This is the sixth shutout of the year for the No. 6 Nittany Lions and their seventh straight win.

Penn State will hit the road next week for yet another Big Ten conference matchup in Piscataway, N.J., in a contest against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Jakob Schnur is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jks6463@psu.edu