No. 3 Nittany Lions Face West Chester in Sunday Matinee – Penn State

KICKIN’ IT

The Nittany Lions return to action on a quick turnaround following the program’s first defeat of the campaign, with third-ranked PSU dropping a 2-1 decision at the hands of No. 21 Virginia last Thursday night, August 22, at Jeffrey Field. The Blue & White took a one-goal lead into the halftime intermission, but Virginia rattled off a pair of scores midway through the second half to overcome the Nittany Lion advantage. Despite the final scoreline, Penn State looked effective and efficient on both ends of the pitch. The Nittany Lions were prolific on the attacking end, dominating the final shot margin by a striking 20-9 overall tally. PSU also managed to surpass the Cavaliers in shot on goal attempts, winning the statistic by a 7-6 final line. Virginia was opportunistic with their chances, securing both of their goals in the 54th minute onward, while simultaneously racking up a 6-3 differential in corner kicks.

Penn State University welcomed incoming freshman students and their families back to campus on Thursday, with the Nittany Lion women’s soccer match against Virginia serving as the backdrop for the program’s annual March to the Match event. PSU’s March to the Match provided an electric atmosphere, with 1,603 fans filing into the stands highlighted by a jam-packed Park Avenue Army student section. At halftime of Thursday night’s contest against the Cavaliers, the Blue & White honored Nittany Lion women’s soccer alumna, two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and current Penn State Board of Trustees member Ali Krieger, welcoming the 2006 B1G Defender of the Year back to her home pitch.

BALLIN’ LIKE BEANY

MacBean maintains the longest active goal-scoring streak on the roster with five straight, contributing goals in each of Penn State’s final three NCAA tournament matches last season as well as the first two contests of the 2024 campaign against Texas Tech last week, and Virginia last Thursday night. The promising attacking player needs goals in just two more matches to move into third place all-time at PSU for consecutive matches with a goal, a feat last achieved by Maya Hayes over a seven-match period during the 2011 campaign. MacBean, a native of Excelsior, Minnesota, stands as the only 2023 All-Big Ten honoree returning to the Penn State roster for the program’s 31st varsity season. The veteran attacker was the highest-scoring player for PSU in its run to the Elite Eight last year, dropping 26 points on 10 goals…