Box Score UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The season came to an end for No. 23 Santa Clara women's soccer with a 2-0 loss to No. 5 Penn State on a rainy Friday night. The Nittany Lions got an early goal and added another in the first half to overcome the Broncos having a good share of the possession throughout the 90 minutes.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Penn State (15-2-4) started the scoring in the fourth minute. Kaitlyn MacBean got the ball inside the 18 and took a touch before finishing inside the left post.
• The Nittany Lions added another on a long pass and run that Payton Linnehan finished in the 21st minute.
• Marlee Nicolos kept the Broncos (14-5-2) in the game with a massive one-on-one save in the 70th minute.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Santa Clara held the advantage in shots 13-5 but put four on frame, in part to the Penn State defense blocking several attempts. On the other side, Penn State put all five of their shots on target.
• The Broncos also drew eight corner kicks while surrendering  none.
• Nicolos finished the night with three saves. Katherine Asman had four on the other side.
• This was just the second time all season Santa Clara gave up more than one goal.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
 

Hear from head coach @SCUJerrySmith after tonight's NCAA Tournament second round defeat.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/R9SrEATM27

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 18, 2023

NEXT UP

• The Broncos take on six-seed Saint Louis Sunday at 10 a.m. Pacific.