Penn State Women’s Soccer Suffer loss to Gophers, 1-0
|

Penn State Women’s Soccer Suffer loss to Gophers, 1-0

Penn State Women’s Soccer was handed their second defeat of the season at the hands of the Minnesota Gophers Sunday afternoon. Although the Lions had ten shots and three were on goal, No. 4 Penn State was unable to bounce back after a Gopher goal in the 32nd minute of the game. With the loss, Penn State falls to a 6-2-1 overall record and a 1-1-0 Big Ten Conference record.

The beginning of the game was a gridlock for both teams. Defensively, both teams did a great job of limiting the amount of shots and much of the play was back and forth between the sides. Unfortunately, in the 32nd minute, Minnesota scored the lone goal of the match, putting the ball past Penn State goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom.

Throughout the rest of the game, Penn State was granted a few opportunities to level the game but were unable to do so. One of the best chances of the game came in the 66th minute after Frannie Crouse went for a shot on goal, but hit the crossbar. Sophomore Elizabeth Ball had her chance to level the match but Minnesota’s goalkeeper Tarah Hobbs made the save to eventually give the Gophers the win.

In the closing minutes of the match, Penn State was granted two corner kicks but Minnesota’s defense did a solid job of clearing both opportunities.

Head coach Erica Walsh commented after the match on the Lions not-so-good luck during the game. “They came in and battled, they out muscled us, they beat us to the ball too often, and we got a little unlucky and hit the post a few times. But we did not make our own luck today and they did, and I give full credit to Minnesota, they came to play."

Up next for the Lions is three games on the road against Nebraska (September 25th), Iowa (September 27th), and Northwestern (October 4th). Penn State finally returns home on October 8th for a Thursday clash against Big Ten opponent Maryland at 7:00 p.m.