Women’s Soccer Concludes Season in National Quarterfinals

CLEMSON, S.C. – In a tension-filled back-and-forth affair, fifth-ranked and second-seeded Penn State dropped a 2-1 decision to the seventh-ranked and top-seeded Clemson Tigers on the road at Riggs Field in national quarterfinal action of the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship Saturday afternoon. 
 

The Nittany Lions concluded their 30th varsity season with a 16-3-4 overall record and the deepest NCAA Tournament run by any PSU squad in the last five years. One of the most storied programs across all of Division I, the Blue & White recorded their 29th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid in the 2023 season, marking the second-longest active streak in the nation. Penn State played in its 14th national quarterfinal Saturday afternoon, the most Elite Eight appearances by any Big Ten Conference member institution. For Clemson, the Tigers improved to 18-3-4 overall and will participate in their first NCAA Women’s College Cup as a program next weekend against undefeated Florida State in Cary, North Carolina. 
 
Penn State and Clemson battled in a dramatic back-and-forth contest, with the Tigers coming away with a 20-12 overall margin on the shot chart. Both teams produced quality chances in the match, with each goalkeeper forced to make multiple heart-stopping saves. PSU mustered six shots on goal split between four different student-athletes, while Clemson tallied seven shots on target from five players. Corner kick chances were largely insignificant in the match, but the Tigers managed a 4-2 win in the category. Physicality was a key element over the 90 minutes, with both squads cautioned late in the second half as tensions began to rise.
 
For the Nittany Lions, redshirt junior forward Kaitlyn MacBean moved into a tie for the top spot on Penn State’s 30th varsity roster with her 10th goal of the season in the second half. The Excelsior, Minnesota, native booked an unassisted score in the 73rd minute, pouring in four total shots with a pair of on-target attempts in the match. Senior+ forward Payton Linnehan attempted four shots with two on frame, while senior+ defender Kate…