Soccer: Women's

GK Erin McNulty- McNulty didn’t have a tough day in net, as Richmond managed just three total shots. However despite the lack of action, the fifth-year senior was key to keeping the back line in check, especially with Kori Chapic and Bri Hovington more involved in the attack. When she was called upon, McNulty was ready, making two saves and her punts were again quality, getting the ball well out of harm’s way

GK Krissy Tribbett - She made her second appearance of the weekend in relief, but did not face a shot. The defense played it back to her a few times and she handled the ball well. Not too much to say, as she wasn’t called upon to make a stop.

D Kori Chapic - The freshman continues to impress. Her speed allows her to go up and down the touchline at will and she filled in well at forward after Maya Hayes had to leave in the 12th minute. She had a few looks at headers, but her two shots were wide. Defensively, she made her stops, and her footwork let her keep the ball and get around pressure instead of making a pass, leading to better transition.

D Emma Thomson - Thomson provided a physical presence in the middle of the defense, especially on a day when fouls were as plentiful as Penn State shot attempts. The senior was steady, played the ball well out of the back and won a fair amount of air balls. Her leg is quite good too, as she played in several nice balls off long free kicks and had a crack at net after a long rebound, but it sailed high.

D Carly Niness - Niness was great in the air on both ends, getting a decent look off a corner kick that went wide, and knocking down Richmond’s aerial service. The senior played 59 minutes, all 45 of the first half and was much more disciplined in her tackles. She did show a little hesitation in the second half with the ball and lots of space to work with, but it didn’t have any negative effects on the game overall.

D Bri Hovington - Hovington played the entire 90 minutes, and along with Thomson, was the only player to go whistle-to-whistle. The sophomore was involved in the attack, especially with Maddy Evans cutting inside more often than on Friday. She had one or two misplayed passes, but so does every player and she had a very nice cross from outside the box late in the second half to Maya Hayes that was headed over the bar

D Whitney Church - Church gave the team a very solid 66 minutes, coming in after Hayes stepped off in the first half. The freshman doesn’t play like a newcomer, and has a maturity and calmness on the ball and in her defense. Church didn’t get as involved in the attack as the other outside backs, but she also played on the same side as Jess Rosenbluth, who was having another great game.

D Lexi Marton - Marton only went 36 minutes, but she is coming back from a bout of food poisoning and a banged up shin received in Friday’s game. When she was in, the junior co-captain was composed, and in the first half, her substitution allowed Thomson to slide up to defensive mid to close out the first half.

M Bri Garcia - Another good game from the redshirt junior and she picked up an assist on Jess Rosenbluth’s cross-turned-goal in the second half. She’s taken well to the defensive midfield role, but also gets involved on offense, taking two shots on Sunday though neither was on target. Garcia covers her ground well and is a good link between the back and the front six.

M Christine Nairn - Nairn was held without a point again, but she was also man-marked by Richmond’s Becca Wann for the entire game. While that pressure and Richmond’s doubling in the midfield choked the central midfield, Nairn still found space to get off a team-high seven shots, including a few dangerous attempts from distance. She should have had an assist to Taylor Schram, but their nice combo was called back on an offsides.

M Maddy Evans - Evans had a tough day, not in terms of production, but in the fact she was knocked down quite a bit by Richmond’s defenders. Not that it mattered. The junior was a thorn along the right wing all afternoon, firing four shots and forcing two saves from keeper Melissa Pacheco and also playing in some good crosses as usual. She just needs to take her time on her shooting as her other attempts, one of which was wide open, were high.

M Jess Rosenbluth - Gets our nod for player of the match, as she was constantly in or around the Richmond box and played their line perfectly. Her goal in the 54th minute was a bit lucky, but still impressive, and had it not caught that wind, it would have given Schram a nice chance on frame. Her corner kicks were on point and she crossed in the ball that Jackie Molinda finished to cap the scoring and seal up the game in the 70th minute. A nice weekend for the senior.

M Jackie Molinda - It looks like she’s staying at outside mid, but may have to contend with Emily Hurd for minutes once Hurd is back from a concussion. Her performance Sunday should help, as she seemed more comfortable on the field, putting both of her shots on goal, and finishing one, a nice shot to the far post that hit the woodwork and glanced in. Her time as a left back looked to pay off, as she was involved both ways, tracking back well on defense.

M Ali Schaefer - Schaefer spelled Garcia again and is firmly trenched as the first center mid off the bench, the same role she filled at this time last year. The senior saw 42 minutes, and got to play a little attacking mid at the end of the first half when Thomson slid up to defensive mid. Schaefer was good in distribution, but waited just a little too long on one play, but recovered well and kept the possession.

M Kindrah Kohne, Meghan Gill - Came on as late subs once the game was decided. Gill had a crack, but her attempt was wide. You have to appreciate the fifth-year senior’s determination and work rate, but two ACL injuries have robbed her speed, but she does provide heart off the bench. Kohne showed some spark in her time this weekend, and the time will be good experience as she grows this season.

F Maya Hayes - Had a scary moment in the 12th minute after taking a knock to the head, she had a shot saved and rebound right off her face, which left her woozy and off balance. The training staff and coaches wisely sat her the rest of the half, but the sophomore shook it off and was back out for the second half. She got Penn State on the board, connecting again with Taylor Schram on chipped header and finishing a break for her fourth goal of the year.

F Taylor Schram - She just seems like a natural at forward, and her instant chemistry with Hayes only helps. She was robbed of a nice goal by an offsides flag, after taking a ball from Nairn and chipping Pacheco to seemingly give Penn State a lead. She did pick up her fourth assist of the weekend on Hayes’ goal and put two of her four shots on net and got to a fair share of headers.

F Amanda Dotten Ellen Arnaud - Dotten got her first playing time of the year and for Penn State after coming over as a transfer from NJIT. She only played seven minutes and was the last player to sub in, but it was nice to see her get time in front of the home fans. Arnaud should have scored on her only shot, but she didn’t get enough on the shot and it was gobbled up by Pacheco late in the game. She brings good energy, but Schram and Hayes seem to have the forward spot on lock, and Chapic is more than capable of sliding up top if the need arises.