Sept. 25, 2005
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Purdue didn't get the chance to enjoy its first overtime in almost two years, as Penn State converted a corner kick in the 92nd minute to win 3-2.
With the loss, Purdue dropped to 5-5 and 1-1 in the Big Ten Conference, while the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions remain undefeated at 10-0 (2-0 Big Ten). Purdue's last overtime match was on Oct. 19, 2003, a 1-1 tie with Illinois.
The corner was served by Big Ten assist leader Carmelina Moscato, whose delivery found Denay Riley on the left side of the net. Riley quickly slotted the ball to Sheree Gray, who punched the ball in from a foot off the goal line.
Despite the tough loss, Purdue head coach Rob Klatte noticed some positives.
"I'm glad my team felt disappointed by this loss, they battled hard and truly thought they could beat Penn State today," said Klatte. "If we can put this game behind us and continue to play aggressively, I think we can finish second in the Big Ten. I think we're off to a good start."
Purdue and Penn State ended regualtion tied at 2-2 courtesy of a Lauren Sesselmann score in the 67th minute, which was Purdue's lone shot of the second period. Jill Sarbaugh was credited with the assist after Sesselmann buried her second goal on a diagonal from the left side.
Sesselmann and freshman Jessica Okoroafo share the team lead with four goals each.
Although Purdue had the lone goal of the second period, Penn State had the most opportunities. The Nittany Lions outshot Purdue in the second frame, 13-1, and 22-6 for the match.
In the last 10 minutes of regulation, Penn State put forth a concentrated attack on the Boilermakers' net, but Lauren Mason came through with five saves, sending the match to overtime.
The Nittany Lions also had problems converting wide-open looks into scores, as they pushed several shots either high or wide. By comparison, Purdue put two of its six shots on goal, both of them scores by Sesselmann. Penn State goalkeeper Erin McLeod finished the match with zero saves.
Purdue scored the match's first goal when Okoroafo assisted Sesselmann in the eighth minute. The two forwards played hot potato with the ball in the right corner before Sesselmann found her away around a defender in the goal box and planted her shot into the lower left corner.
Purdue also scored the game's first goal in last season's 3-1 loss in Happy Valley.
The match was balanced for the first 20 minutes of the opening period. The midfielders were breaking down passing lanes, the offense was controlling the ball in its half and defenders such as Zarinah Blockton and Kira Bilecky blocked several shots, and were credited with a team save.
But Penn State is ranked No. 2 for a reason. And her name is Tffany Weimer.
Weimer, who is in the midst of a 10-match goal-scoring streak, scored her 14th and 15th goals of the season within a span of 1:18 seconds. Weimer created her first goal in the 24th minute, bypassing a pair of Boilermaker defenders and goalkeeper Lauren Mason inside the goal box. Seconds later Weimer made sure an Aubrey Aden-Buie shot went over the stripe.
Weimer is eight goals away from tying the Big Ten career scoring mark of 82, a record currently held by former Lion Christie Welsh. Weimer's career total following Sunday's match now stands at 74 goals.
Purdue returns home to the Varsity Soccer Complex Friday for a 3 p.m. match against Michigan State. The Boilermakers are 4-1 at home this season.