Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Penn State
Wildcats Nipped by Nittany Lions, 4-2
10/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2003
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EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's soccer team knew it was facing a tall task Friday, with Penn State rolling into town. The Nittany Lions have won the last five Big Ten regular-season titles, and after a College Cup appearance last year they are currently ranked 14th nationally.
The Wildcats were able to stay level with Penn State for about a half Friday at the Leonard B. Thomas Sports Complex, but the Nittany Lions proved to have too many offensive weapons and took a 4-2 decision.
"That is a great team, definitely the best team we have played so far this year," said NU head coach Jenny Haigh after the match. "They have talent everywhere on the field and they are very athletic. We knew we would have to do a great job of containing them, and unfortunately we had enough breakdowns that they capitalized."
Northwestern (6-6-0, 2-4-0) looked like it might surprise the Nittany Lions early on, when senior sweeper Molly Greene got forward for a free kick and had a point-black chance. Her shot dipped a little too slowly, though, and rang the crossbar before Penn State kicked it out of harm's way.
Penn State (11-2-2, 5-1-0) matched that when Tiffany Weimer rocketed a shot off the crossbar at the other end eight minutes later, and then struck in the 37th minute by capitalizing on yet another shot that rang the woodwork. This time Heidi Drummond was in place to head the ball past a scrambling NU goalkeeper, Whitney Jones.
Northwestern responded almost immediately to the goal, though, taking advantage of a throw-in deep in the PSU zone. The ball was flicked on a couple of times before landing on the foot of Julie Lipinski, who pushed it past Lion keeper Amanda Brown.
"It was great that we were able to answer back like that," said Haigh.
Just when it looked like the teams might be headed to the halftime break deadlocked, Penn State was able to get deep in the NU zone and generated a penalty kick when one of their players was brought down in the goal box. Weimer calmly depoisted the PK, and the half ended with the Nittany Lions up 2-1.
"We had a series of breakdowns on that second goal, and they were able to take advantage and get the penalty kick out of it," said Haigh.
In the second half, Penn State put the match away with goals in the 58th and 69th minutes. All-America midfielder Joanna Lohman scored the third goal when she shook free behind the NU defense and took a cross from Sophie Hiler; Weimer netted the final goal -- her second of the day -- by beating a pair of defenders in the right side of the box and slipping a shot home.
"Lohman is one of the best players in the country, and she showed it again today," said Haigh. "She makes a lot of positive things happen out there for Penn State, and a lot of their offense is generated through her."
Northwestern was able to get one back in the 81st minute by drawing a penalty kick. Aileen Guiney's PK effort was stopped by Brown, but the ball bounced back to Guiney who easily slid it in past the fallen Lion goalkeeper.
Northwestern, amazingly, closes out its 2003 home schedule Sunday afternoon when it hosts 11th-ranked Ohio State. Prior to the game the Wildcats will hold Senior Day ceremonies for Greene, Guiney and Kristen Pearce. The match is also the first of a doubleheader on the Leonard B. Thomas pitch -- following that match, the men play Indiana.
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Penn State (11-2-2, 5-1-0) 2 2 - 4
Northwestern (6-6-0, 2-4-0) 1 1 - 2
Goal Summary
PSU - Heidi Drummond (unassisted), 36:41
NU - Julie Lipinski (Ashleigh Garmon), 38:05
PSU - Tiffany Weimer (penalty kick), 42:03
PSU - Joanna Lohman (Sophie Hiler), 57:15
PSU - Weimer (unassisted), 68:03
NU - Aileen Guiney (unassisted), 80:13
Shots: Penn State 13, NU 8
Corner Kicks: Penn State 6, NU 3
Fouls: Penn State 16, NU 11
GK Saves: NU - Whitney Jones 3; PSU - Amanda Brown 1
