On Friday afternoon the West Virginia Mountaineers headed to University Park, Pennsylvania, looking to continue their NCAA Tournament run. Instead it was Penn State moving on, defeating the Mountaineers 4-0.
The weather was a major factor in the match, with snow falling throughout the game and not allowing for balls to be hit easily.
Penn State scored in the first minute of the game, and never gave up the lead from there. They added three more goals in the second half, in the 55th, 56th and 68th minute.
Despite the final score-line Penn State only out-shot West Virginia 11-8, although they held a 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Lauren Segalla and Julianne Vallerand led West Virginia in shots, with two a piece. Vallerand had the best chance of the night for the Mountaineers, when in the 85th minute a ball found her feet in the box, and she shot it first time but Penn State goalkeeper Morgan Messner made an excellent reflex save to hold the shut-out.
The four goals West Virginia conceded were the most they’ve given up all season, with their previous season-high of goals allowed being only two, against Kansas, Texas and Penn State in the first match-up this season.
The Mountaineers were also shut-out for the first time September 17th, when Georgetown held West Virginia scoreless in a 0-0 draw.
Head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown was able to get senior goalkeeper Maddie Murphy her first action of the season, after Penn State scored their fourth goal to send off the senior with an appearance.
Photo by Wesley Shoemaker, Blue Gold Sports
