Penn State women’s soccer (4-2-2, 2-1-1 Big Ten) tied Iowa (5-2-4, 0-1-3 Big Ten) 1-1 at Jeffrey Field in the White Out game.

Penn State scored early in what proved to be a physical game, but Iowa came out electrified in the second half and tied it up.

Neither team could find an elusive second goal to take the win.

How It Happened

Penn State’s offense dominated the first five minutes. After a foul, the Nittany Lions moved the ball around Iowa’s defense. Dribbling in from the right side, Aubrey Kulpa finished in the bottom-right corner past Iowa’s keeper, Braelynn Galt.

The Nittany Lions continued their offensive drive; however, Iowa’s lockdown defense stopped more potential scoring opportunities toward the end of the 15th minute.

The Hawkeyes’ offense gained momentum with two back-to-back corner kicks, but Penn State’s defense denied both attempts to put them on the board.

Kulpa took another piercing shot in the 26th minute, but Galt stopped it. Iowa used that opening to attack Penn State’s defense, but Mackenzie Gress made her first save.

In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Kulpa again sprinted down the left side with an exciting chance to put a second goal in the back of the net. Her fierce shot reverberated off the post.

Late in the first half, Iowa’s Abby Skiff got a yellow card, which led to a close free kick just outside the 18 for the Nittany Lions. Galt rejected the ball.

The Nittany Lions went into halftime up 1-0.

However, fresh from halftime, the Hawkeyes came out with a new energy. Their offense applied intense pressure to Penn State’s back line. That didn’t last long, though, and Anna Babcock found an open shot for the Nittany Lions, forcing a save from Galt.

Penn State’s Brooklyn Antonucci drew a foul just outside the 18, creating an exciting chance for Iowa a few minutes later. Sara Batchadji took the set piece and missed just wide.

Penn State’s defense continued to be tested as the second half rolled on. The Nittany Lions received two yellow cards under pressure from the Hawkeyes.

In the 58th minute, Babcock got another thrilling opening on goal and just missed wide. Two minutes later, Ellie Kocher put another shot just off net.

The game grew more physical as the clock ticked down, with another foul on Martin called after her earlier yellow card. The Hawkeyes won a corner kick from it, another chance to get on the board.

In the 70th minute, Iowa finally found the back of the net. The ball bounced over Gress’s head and landed in the bottom right corner. Sara Batchadji was the goal scorer.

For the rest of the game, both teams fought hard to score the final goal. Iowa’s Josie Jones received another yellow card in the 80th minute.

Bella Asyscue of Penn State then went down with a potential injury in the 84th minute.

Iowa had an intense corner kick to end the game; Gress made the save to keep it 1-1.

Takeaways

Aubrey Kulpa was all over the field tonight, with one goal and two shots on goal.

Anna Babcock also had an electric game with two shots on goal, making the Hawkeye defense work.

The defensive line held firm, denying Iowa any last-minute attempts.

Defender Kayleigh Herr showed her leadership and wasn’t afraid to make a hard tackle.

What’s Next?

Penn State stays at Jeffery Field to face USC at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, for its annual THON match. Folks can watch from home on Big Ten Plus.