No. 15 Penn State Closes Heartland Road Trip at Nebraska – Penn State

KICKIN’ IT

Despite jumping ahead by an early 1-0 margin, the No. 15 Nittany Lions ultimately conceded a pair of scores later in the first half to drop a 2-1 road decision to the No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes Thursday night from the Iowa Soccer Complex. The trio of first-half goals belied what was largely a physical, defensive affair, with the two programs combining for just nine total shots over 90 minutes of effort. Iowa managed to secure the victory in the shot chart by a 7-2 margin, with a slimmer 5-2 differential in shot attempts on goal. The Blue & White tripled the Hawkeye save total, winning that statistic by a 3-1 tally, with both squads finishing the night with a pair of corner kicks each. Physicality was the name of the game, with Iowa racking up a striking 13 fouls against just eight from the Nittany Lions.

Junior forward Amelia White was impressive in her 62 minutes of work Thursday night, finding the back of the net for the first time in her third collegiate campaign. White, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, secured her fifth collegiate goal in less than two minutes of match time, burying the quickest Nittany Lion score to open a match in the 2024 season. On an individual basis, Penn State is currently led in total scoring and total goals by redshirt senior forward Kaitlyn MacBean, who boasts 21 total points split between 10 goals and an assist. MacBean is tied for third in the nation in total goals and is one of just six women to reach the double-digit scoring threshold in Division I to date this year. Jordan Fusco leads the way in the passing game with six helpers, all to MacBean, while redshirt junior Amanda Poorbaugh has stood watch over the PSU goal, booking a 7-3-1 individual record with 32 saves.

SCHEDULE? TUFF.

Penn State will battle three additional teams in conference competition who are currently ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll released on Tuesday, September 24. PSU faces off against Ohio State (#12), USC (#24) and UCLA (RV) over the course of the next seven matches, with all three of those matchups coming on the road. The Blue & White have faced off against seven opponents to date that were either ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll at the time of the match, with the Nittany Lions cranking out a pair of ranked victories over those foes. PSU opened the year with a 4-0 thrashing of then-No. 4 Texas Tech, adding a 2-1 road win at then-No. 19 Saint Louis as well.