There's just something about overtime.
The Penn State women's soccer team liked overtime so much it decided to play two 3-overtime affairs in three days to round out the Big Ten tournament.
The No. 7 Nittany Lions (20-2-1) won their sixth and seventh straight one-goal games to win the Big Ten tournament and automatically qualify for the NCAA tournament.
The team repeats the feat of the 1998 Lions which also won the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.
In the final match against Michigan (13-8-1), the Lions and Wolverines were scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime. Then, just 31 seconds into the third overtime, Lions senior Shari Pickett buried a pass from freshman Stephanie Smith into the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 victory. Pickett had a similar opportunity earlier in the game and missed it.
"It felt so good because it was my first one (game-winning goal)," Pickett said. "We were all about revenge. Instead of beating Michigan, it was like, 'They have something we want.'"
Lions junior goalkeeper Emily Oleksiuk made four saves in the shutout. She shutout two of the three opponents she faced in the tournament.
"It's very rewarding," Penn State women's soccer coach Pat Farmer said. "I was really calm and anxious to see they'd do.
"I had a great time."
And while the Lions have been winning the tight games, Farmer said he doesn't feel like the team is winning with defense. More that the offense is not finishing some opportunities and the defense is just playing strong.
Friday night, the Lions battled the tournament host, Illinois (13-7).
Penn State fell behind 1-0 when Fighting Illini junior Emily Brown beat Oleksiuk at 23:45, the first goal the Lions had given up after five 1-0 wins.
"It was actually a pretty nice goal from them," Farmer said.
Farmer sat out the game after being ejected from Thursday's game against Minnesota, leaving assistant coaches Paula Wilkins and Zac Shaw running the team.
The Lions trailed for most of the game, but with 9:27 left in the second half, Lions senior Erin Miller scored to tie up the game and send it into overtime.
After two scoreless overtime periods, Lions junior Bonnie Young sealed the game with a 35-yard free kick that beat Illini goalkeeper Sarah Anderson.
"It was just a great game," Farmer said. "Paula and Zac did a tremendous job. It was maybe our best effort ever."
Lions senior captain Luanne Strom said the game made a statement.
"It's absolutely incredible," she said. "It just shows how much heart we have."
Also, the tournament saw the return of senior Jeannine Verdrager, sophomores Christie Welsh and Kristen Mandler and freshman Heidi Drummond from injuries.
Farmer said he was pleased with the way all of them played in their return and is glad to not be so depleted.
"We're actually getting more healthy," he said. "Now we're going to have a problem on who's starting."
The draw for the NCAA tournament was held last night. The Lions are hoping to be a high seed and earn a bye through the first round and a home game in the second round. The first round starts on Wednesday, with the second round next weekend.
