A late goal from the Nittany Lions in the 82nd minute made the difference as the University of Minnesota soccer team (9-3-3, 3-3-2 B1G) fell, 3-2, at No. 20 Penn State (11-3-2, 5-2-1 B1G) at Jeffrey Field on Sunday afternoon.
As a team, the Golden Gophers outshot the Nittany Lions 13-11 (8-5 S.O.G.). Senior Khyah Harper led the way for Minnesota, scoring one goal and dishing out three shots on net. Graduate Sophia Romine followed behind, scoring a goal unassisted and tallying two shots.
Penn State started out hot, scoring 55 seconds into the match. Kaelyn Wolfe found the bottom right of the goal off an assist from Julia Raich and Bella Ayscue.
The Gophers answered back quickly in the 11th minute. After a Caroline Birdsell shot got pushed wide by the Penn State keeper, Minnesota earned a corner kick. Sophomore Paige Kalal delivered an opportunity to Harper, who scored her 16th goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Romine gave Minnesota the lead on her own. The graduate midfielder earned possession and dribbled down the field to score 25 yards out. The goal marks her fourth of the season.
In the 31st minute, Penn State’s Kaitlyn MacBean would tie up the match. Raich found MacBean, to notch her second assist of the game. The Gophers and Nittany Lions were tied 2-2 at the half.
The second half stayed even between the Gophers and Nittany Lions, both teams keeping up the offensive pressure. With eight minutes left in the game, Olivia Damico scored her first goal of the season off a cross from Jordan Fusco to seal the win for Penn State.
Minnesota returns home this Thursday to host Maryland at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium at 7 p.m. CT. The match can also be streamed live on B1G+.
(info courtesy of Gopher Sports)