Sept. 24, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer team strolled into West Lafayette this afternoon sporting at least a top seven ranking in the latest major soccer polls across the country. In the polls for Sept 20, PSU stood No. 5 by Soccer Buzz, No. 5 by Soccer Times, and No. 7 by Soccer America. They provided strong evidence of that ranking with a 5-0 decision over the Boilermakers at the Purdue Varsity Soccer Complex on Friday, Sept. 24. With the win, Penn State improves to 5-2-1 overall (1-0-1 Big Ten), while Purdue dropped its second-straight match to fall to 6-3 (1-2 Big Ten).
Penn State got on the scoreboard just 3:00 minutes in the match, as Bonnie Young and Christie Welsh stole the ball in the defensive third and Young chipped it over Purdue goalkeeper Jocelyn Cavalier's head for her second goal of the year. The freshman sensation Welsh was credited with the assist.
At 23:39 of the first half, the Nittany Lions notched their second tally as Purdue defender Elise Berry was trying to clear the ball from inside her own penalty box, but Courtney Lawson jumped into the ball and the ball bounced into the net over the head of Cavalier. Penn State out-shot the Boilers just 7-6 in the first half.
From the start of the second half, Penn State put on the pressure for the rest of the match, out-shooting the Boilermakers 5-0. Penn State pushed the lead to 3-0 at 48:53 of the second half, as Welsh headed a ball from about 12-yards out on an assist from Megan Mills. Welsh now leads the Lions with seven goals on the season. Young notched her second score of the game and third of the season at 52:00 on a breakaway beating the PU keeper low. Kris Phillips was credited with the assist. The Nittany Lions Megan McKeown scored her second goal of the season at 76:40 on a chip over the out-stretched arm of Purdue's new goalie Sharon Sadowski to make the final score 5-0. Assists were credited to Emily Medina and Meredith Guerin.
Purdue returns to action this Sunday with a 1 p.m. match against Ohio State, then travel to Michigan on Oct. 3.
FINAL SCORE: PENN STATE 5, PURDUE 0
Shots: Penn State 12, Purdue 6
Corner Kicks: Purdue 1, Penn State 0
Goalkeeper Saves: Purdue 4, Penn State 1
Fouls: Purdue 8, Penn State 7