Michigan
6-2-0, 1-0-0
Penn State
4-4-1, 0-1-0
Wolverines Upset No. 23 Penn State to Start Big Ten Play
9/19/2019 9:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Michigan earned a shutout win over No. 23 Penn State
» The Wolverines defeated back-to-back ranked opponents for the first time since 2013
» Meredith Haakenson scored her fifth goal of the season.
» Hillary Beall earned her fourth shutout.
Site: State College, Pa. (Jeffrey Field)
Score: Michigan 1, Penn State 0
Records: U-M (6-2-0, 1-0-0 B1G), PSU (4-4-1, 0-1-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 22 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 2 p.m.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team defeated No. 23-ranked Penn State, 1-0, on Thursday night (Sept. 19) at Jeffrey Field. The Wolverines have defeated two ranked opponents in as many games after they prevailed, 2-1, over then-No. 13 Washington State on Sept. 13.
"Great result for our group tonight," said head coach Jennifer Klein. "We did a very good job of staying disciplined and connected throughout the game. Penn State is a very well-coached team with talented players and I thought we managed the momentum changes well. I am very happy with the way we battled and found a way to get a result."
The back-to-back wins over ranked opponents were the first for Michigan since it defeated No. 21 San Diego State and No. 22 Pepperdine on Sept. 1 and Sept. 6, 2013.
Sophomore Meredith Haakenson scored her fifth goal and third game-winner of the season in the 10th minute of the first half off a pass from Sarah Stratigakis. The goal turned out to be all Michigan needed to secure the victory.
Junior goalkeeper Hillary Beall made three saves, including a key save in the final 10 minutes of the match to lock up the win.
Michigan wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when Stratigakis worked to get the ball off a throw in and took it from the right side of the field to the middle of the box. Haakenson struck from the left side, collected the lead pass from Stratigakis and fired the ball into the of the net to put the Wolverines up 1-0 in in the 10th minute.
Minutes later, Penn State had an indirect shot from six yards out. U-M piled the entire team into the net as Alia Martin came out of the box and blocked the shot with her body and kept Michigan's one-goal advantage intact.
At the halftime break, Beall made one save and Michigan gave up just six shots.
U-M sought an insurance goal in the second half with shots on net from Lily Farkas and Brooke Cilley late in the second half. Penn State had two corner-kick chances in the second half that were denied by the Wolverine defense.
The Nittany Lions surged in the 78th minute and took a shot from seven yards out that Beall dove for and saved with her fingertips to secure the Michigan and earn her fourth shutout.
The Wolverines will conclude their three-game road swing Sunday afternoon (Sept. 22) when they travel to Columbus for a match against Ohio State. First touch is schedule for 2 p.m., and the match will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
Team Stats
Meredith Haakenson (1)
Assisted By: Sarah Stratigakis
GOAL by MICH Haakenson, Meredith Assist by Stratigakis, Sarah.
09:42
