UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Nittany Lions Roar into NCAA Second Round with Commanding 3-0 Victory
THE PRESS CENTER | THE NITTANY LEAK | SPORTS
NOV. 16, 2025
The Penn State women’s soccer team delivered a statement performance on Saturday night at Jeffrey Field, powering past the Army Black Knights with a decisive 3-0 victory in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championships. Fueled by three different goal scorers and a relentless defensive effort, the eighth-seeded Nittany Lions showcased the depth, resilience, and championship pedigree that has defined the program for decades.
For the 32nd consecutive season, Penn State women’s soccer has reached double-digit wins, a streak dating back to the program’s inaugural varsity campaign in 1994. The Blue & White now stand at 10-7-3 overall in 2025, advancing to the NCAA second round for the 17th straight year. Penn State has won its opening-round NCAA match every year since 2009, building a remarkable tradition of postseason success. At Jeffrey Field, the Lions are nearly unbeatable: 48-7-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament play, and 67-28-3 overall in national postseason history.
Penn State’s victory was defined by balance and teamwork, with three different players finding the back of the net:
9’ – Kaitlyn MacBean (Graduate Forward) The veteran striker from Excelsior, Minnesota, delivered her 10th goal of the season and 39th of her career. Her powerful right-footed strike off the far post set the tone early.
19’ – Amelia White (Senior Forward) The Fort Wayne, Indiana native continued her career-best season, scoring her sixth goal of 2025 and adding an assist. White now boasts 16 points this year, proving herself a consistent offensive force.
76’ – Dikte Bang (Freshman Forward) The Odense, Denmark newcomer announced her arrival with her first collegiate goal, a composed finish from 14 yards out that sealed the victory and electrified the home crowd.
Riley Gleason (Redshirt Senior Midfielder) recorded two assists, pushing her season total to 11, just shy of the program’s single-season top three.
Julia Raich (Redshirt Senior Midfielder) and Hannah Jordan (Freshman Defender) each added assists, underscoring Penn State’s unselfish, team-first approach.
Defensively, the Lions dominated with a 21-9 shot advantage and a 9-3 edge in shots on goal, while maintaining composure with no cautions issued.
Penn State’s goalkeeper tandem ensured the shutout:
Mackenzie Gress (Redshirt Junior) started strong, playing 77 minutes with one save.
Amanda Poorbaugh (Redshirt Senior) closed her Jeffrey Field career with two saves in the final 13 minutes. Together, they secured the team’s sixth clean sheet of the season and second straight at home.
Army concludes its historic 2025 campaign at 14-6-2, highlighted by a Patriot League Tournament Championship. Though defeated, the Black Knights showed grit and determination, earning respect for their season-long accomplishments.
What’s Next
The Nittany Lions now turn their focus to Charlottesville, Virginia, where they will face the top-seeded and seventh-ranked Virginia Cavaliers at Klöckner Stadium on Thursday, November 20. The matchup offers Penn State a chance at redemption after a narrow 1-0 loss to UVA earlier this season. Kickoff time is to be announced, with live coverage streaming worldwide on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
SOURCE CREDIT: https://gopsusports.com/news/
