Penn State downs Rutgers, 2-0, to advance to NCAA final

CARY, NC-An historic season for Rutgers’ women’s soccer program came to an end on Friday, as the Scarlet Knights fell 2-0 to Penn State in the NCAA semifinals. We’ll all remember the goal by star midfielder/forward Raquel Rodriguez, who carried Penn State to its first title just like she carried Costa Rica’s women’s team to its first appearance in the 2015 Women’s World Cup where, of course, she scored another historic goal. They had split home-and-home decisions, with Penn State claiming the Big Ten tournament championship with a 2-0 win on November 8 after dropping a 1-0 decision at Rutgers on October 18. The Lions finished with a 20-0 scoring margin in the six games and eight straight shutout wins in all competitions.

With Rutgers defenders converging for the ball, Crouse reached the ball first, leading to the eventual game-winning goal.

Malinda Allen’s shot from the top of the box in the 84th minute was saved by Penn State goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom, and Allen’s header in the 87th minute sailed high.

“It’s amusing. He’s been a little hesitant since the first couple of games, a little gun shy”, Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said.

During the final 10 minutes, Duke tallied three shots, one on goal. “The ball was long and played back to me and we just reacted a little late and she was able to get the shot off”. “I just felt like we didn’t have quite enough today”. They took this program to a different level, and now the players coming behind them must maintain it and take it further.

“I feel like these girls are champions in their own right”, Church said.

Penn State’s toughest contests have come against Notre Dame and St. Lawrence.

But instead, the defeat against the Hokies proved to be the turning point of Duke’s season.

Shots were even at two apiece heading into halftime, but Penn State seemed to be in control of the game and carried their momentum into the second half.

Duke’s Rebecca Quinn, right, and Penn State’s Ellie Jean (14) battle for the ball during the first half of the NCAA Women’s College Cup soccer final in Cary, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015.

The second half did not start off in the Eagles’ favor as they committed two turnovers within the first minute. But Penn State gave up its share of points with ball-handling errors and mental mistakes. Everyone has off days, and Taylor had played well prior to this game, but he’s got to make sure performances like this don’t happen frequently like in the past. It was the second trip to the final for both teams. The last goal yielded was in a 3-1 victory over IL in the Big Ten Tournament’s opening round.

Garner said he was unaware of the school record and said he may have taken another 3 if he knew. Rodrigruez was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Proctor was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player.