University of Minnesota Athletics
Penn State defeats Iowa 3-1
11/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Top-seeded Penn State began its defense of its 2006 Big Ten Tournament title Thursday afternoon as they defeated eighth-seeded Iowa 3-1 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in St. Paul, Minn.
The first half started with neither team being able to gain control of the game. During the 22nd minute Penn State started to show signs of taking over when a shot by forward Katie Schoepfer just missed hooking into the right corner. Penn State continued to control the tempo of the match, which paid off when Schoepfer played a through ball to fellow forward Aubrey Aden-Buie. Buie maneuvered around Iowa keeper Kali Feiereisel to score the first goal of the tournament. It was Buie’s 10th goal of the year. Little changed after the goal and the two teams went in at the half with Penn State leading 1-0.
The second half started where the first ended. Penn State continued to dominate the game with timely passing and great defense. With three minutes elapsed in the second half Penn State added a another goal to go up 2-0. Midfielder Danielle Toney played a through ball in the box for forward Shoepfer, who was able to get around Feiereisel to score her 13th goal of the season. Iowa showed signs of life with a goal of their own around the 59th minute. Midfielder Kelsie Full handed the ball off to her teammate Kali McCaughlin who then shot to the upper right corner, just beating goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
The Nittany Lions added their third goal when Toney scored in the 63rd minute, allowing the Nittany Lions to advance to the Tournament’s semifinal round by a final score of 3-1.
Penn State will now play the winner of Thursday afternoon’s Indiana-Ohio State game Friday night at 5:00 p.m. at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie stadium. The match will be broadcast via tape delay on the Big Ten Network.
