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.
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Rutgers (19-4-3) was unable to find much of anything going forward against the equally stout Nittany Lions’ defense at WakeMed Soccer Park, and the Scarlet Knights fell to PSU (21-3-2) for the second time in four weeks.
Penn State is the first Big Ten team to win a national championship.
Aiyana Whitney and Ali Franti found their groove in the final two games, as both finished with 14 kills for the Nittany Lions.
The run ended on Friday evening, however, when they squared off against No. 6 Penn State for the third time this season – this time with a spot in the National Championship Game on the line. Duke was awarded a corner kick in the game’s closing seconds but could not put the ball in play before time expired.
Senior goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom made her lone save of the first half on Toni Payne’s shot attempt in the 30th minute.
Under 10 seconds left in regulation Duke was called for offsides and the Nittany Lions were moments away from history.
Rodriguez took a feed from Mallory Weber across the box and blasted a left-footed shot into the lower right corner of the net. “To be able to get just another opportunity to prove ourselves, especially on the biggest stage in women’s soccer, is just an awesome opportunity for us”. They sport five double-digit scorers, one of whom – Raven Lee – made his season debut Tuesday after serving a suspension.
“I kind of felt like I was cherry picking, but I wasn’t”, Crouse said. She finished the season with three goals and seven assists for 13 points, which was seventh on the team.
“When you play against a team as good as Penn State, details are so important, :” Rutgers coach Mike O’Neill said.
It’s tough to gauge Penn State’s successes, but it’s not all a facade. Penn State lost in 2012 to North Carolina 4-1, and Wisconsin in 1991 to North Carolina 3-1. “Even though I had two points in the BC game, i don’t even care, because we got the W, and that’s all that matters”.
The Scarlet Knights and Nittany Lions first met on October 18 in Piscataway.
The Blue Devils, 8-0-1 when leading at the half this season, scored against the run of play.
Rutgers has been getting it done with defense, allowing just eight goals in 25 matches and beating top-seeded Virginia in the tiebreaker after finishing in a scoreless draw. Quinn, one of 20 players on the Canada team, was the final player cut from the World Cup roster last summer. Rodriguez was named the Most Outstanding Player on Offense.
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Garner said he was unaware of the school record and said he may have taken another 3 if he knew.
