This game was all Penn, with only a small side of State.
The No. 6 women's lacrosse team turned in its most dominant performance of the season, using a 12-0 run to handily defeat No. 19 Penn State 14-7.
Although the Nittany Lions were able to answer the Quakers' first two goals, the third launched an offensive explosion that would not cool down until midway through the second half.
"What we say we are in attack - what we do in practice - finally came out today in our game," senior goalkeeper Sarah Waxman said. "Attack, attack, attack totally won this game for us today."
As impressive as the offense was, the defense was equally as strong. It held the Nittany Lions - averaging over 10 goals per game - to only two in the first half.
Penn State (2-4) did not score for over 40 minutes, beginning under five minutes into the game and ending with just over 14 minutes remaining. During that period, Waxman was only credited with one save, but she and the defense were able to completely shut down any attack their in-state rivals could muster.
"Our defense did a phenomenal job in the first 40 minutes of this game and totally kept them out," Waxman said. "They were scared and weren't taking any shots."
The Penn attack came from all angles and a variety of players. Eight Quakers scored, with senior attacks Melissa Lehman and Chelsea Kocis leading the way with hat tricks. Senior attack Rachel Manson had a pair of goals and assists.
"We were pretty good changing up from looking for cutters and for challenges," Lehman said. "We were able to catch them off guard a little bit by changing up where the ball was."
The attack was incredibly efficient. The Red and Blue out-shot their opponents 23-14 and converted a remarkable 10-15 of their shots in the first half. They also converted all three of their free-position shots, while Penn State could only score on two of its four.
They were also effective without the ball. Waxman credited the attackers for Penn's defensive success. Along with the midfielders, the Quakers consistently forced Penn State into defensive-zone turnovers - 12 in all.
With a comfortable 11-goal lead and 15 minutes remaining, Penn coach Karin Brower pulled her starting goalie to give sophomore Emily Szelest some time in the net for the first time this year. Although the Nittany Lions were able to push four unanswered goals past her to end the game, it was way too little and far too late.
Their attack was led by senior attack Jessi Lieb, who broke the scoring drought halfway through the second half and added the bookend to the Penn State run by scoring with just over four minutes to go. After that, the Penn defense settled down and ensured that the Nittany Lions did not make it interesting.
Penn State used two goalies as well, but not for training purposes. After senior Jess Boccio allowed 12 Penn goals, she was replaced by sophomore Stephanie Ellis. Although Ellis quickly let in two goals, they were the only ones she allowed.
After five games on the road, the Quakers were thrilled to be home, and not even a steady downpour could keep them from enjoying the win.
Playing at home "is like the greatest gift I've gotten all year," Waxman said. "I miss Franklin Field, I love Franklin Field, and we're happy to be home."
