The second-seeded Penn State women’s soccer team rallied in the game’s final 10 minutes to defeat Niagara University, 3-1, in the first round of the NCAA National Tournament Friday night on Jeffrey Field.

Both the Nittany Lions and Purple Eagles traded scoring opportunities in the first half, but neither managed to find the net. .

In the opening minutes of the second half, redshirt freshman forward Ashley Myers broke the scoreless tie by putting Penn State on the scoreboard with her eighth goal of the season. Niagara answered, however, when senior midfielder Emily Montgomery scored in the 71st minute. .

With the score tied 1-1 and less than 10 ten minutes remaining in the second half, senior defender Heather Tomko, who had two shots ring off the post earlier in the game, scored on a well-placed corner kick from junior midfielder Carly Bedesm. .

Less than seven minutes later, Myers nullified the Eagles’ comeback bid with her second goal of the game and helped the Lions advance to the second round for the eighth straight year. .

Penn State will face either Villanova or Toledo at 1 p.m. Sunday on Jeffrey Field. .

Check Monday’s Daily Collegian for complete coverage..