It was expected to be a close game, but the No. 12 Nittany Lions wouldn’t have it.
Penn State women’s soccer hosted Michigan Thursday night in the first Big 10 conference game of the 2024 Fall season. The Wolverines lost 6-0 at Jeffrey Field and the Lions closed the night with their fourth shutout overall.
Amelia White dazzled the Michigan defense with her skills to get the game going. But, the Wolverines defense was stacked with talent, which temporarily trapped the Lions outside the box.
Five minutes into the game, Avery Peters joined White and the Penn State offense by applying pressure to chip away at Michigan’s Stephanie Sparkowski. White, Peters, Kaitlyn MacBean, Kayleigh Herr were all looking to start the deluge of goals.
The first goal of the game was scored at 13 minutes. Devon Olive was outside of the box and she ripped it right past Sparkowski to get her first goal of the season and second of her collegiate career. Olive was a medical redshirt last season after being in a car crash.
“She wanted to give more to this program, and she’s given me way more than we’ve given her but she deserves everything she’s got coming to her, ” Penn State Head Coach Erica Dambach said about Olive.
Michigan didn’t back down. And, earned its first corner kick at 28 minutes but it was smacked away by Penn State’s keep Amanda Poorbaugh.
Moments later, Penn State resumed control. Freshman Katie Scott shot at Sparkowski, who couldn’t keep it in her gloves. The rebound landed at Jordan Fusco’s feet. She slammed the ball into the net for the blue and white’s number two of the night.
Bella Ayscue set up goal three kicking it long and high to goal from outside the box, and was headed by Julia Raich. It was Raich’s first goal of the season.
Despite the Nittany Lion’s early lead, the Wolverines were able to take 10 shots. Michigan revved up for the second half coming onto the field ready to retaliate.
They took their shots, which Poorbaugh denied them access. She stopped Michigan’s Abby Zugay, Jenna Lang, and Kali Burrell, all making an effort to slay the deficit.
MacBean stepped up to turn the tables when she worked with White and Herr to make the score 4-0. It was her ninth goal of the season.
Elle Kershner was next on the score sheet for Penn State as she was assisted by Aubrey Kulpa with 20 minutes left. Right after the goal, the Wolverine’s were tripped up and the Nittany Lions were given a penalty kick. Mieke Schiemann kicked it into the left corner to make it 6-0.
The Nittany Lions took multiple shots after the sixth goal but that was their last. The blue and white ended the game 16 shots on goal compared to Michigan’s four. Penn State also played 20 out of the 33 women on the team.
“I think that’s a massive message to the rest of the conference that we are here to play,” Olive said. “We’re ready to go but there’s a lot more work to be done.”
Michigan plays Minnesota next on Thursday. And the Nittany Lions, they will stay home and play Columbia on Sunday.
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