On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, the Penn State women’s soccer team hit the halfway point of its season. The first half of the season, and some change, was filled with notable highlights from not only the players but from the head coach, too.
- Head Coach Erica Dambach’s 300 Wins
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It was the evening of Aug. 27. The stands were filled with fans bleeding blue and white. Penn State was going up against Bucknell.
The Lady Lions dominated the field all game, winning 5-0. This win was no ordinary win; this game was Head Coach Erica Dambach’s 300th as Penn State’s head coach.
In February 2007, Penn State hired its third women’s soccer head coach in program history. Dambach left her coaching job at Harvard to lead the Lady Lions. This season cemented what a legendary career Dambach has had at State and how she continues to excite the fan base about the team’s future.
- Nicole Crane And The Historic Hat Trick
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Redshirt freshman and forward Nicole Crane scored her first collegiate goal during senior day on Sunday, Aug. 30, against Brown. Crane first scored by tapping in a ball that chipped over the goalie during the first half.
Scoring your first collegiate goal is a big accomplishment, but it wasn’t enough for Crane. She went on to score a second goal before halftime. Crane headed in a ball off a free kick from junior defender Bella Ayscue.
Two goals are nice, but three is historic. Crane scored her third goal of her career and game in the second half. By scoring her third goal, Crane completed the 26th hat trick in team history.
- 0 Shots Allowed
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A hard-fought battle took place on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Jeffrey Field. The Lady Lions took on the USC Trojans and came out on top. Not only did Penn State win, but they did not allow the Trojans a single shot on goal.
The shutout was a team effort. Forwards Aubrey Kulpa, who was the lone scorer of the match, and Ellie Kocher were pivotal in keeping the ball in the attacking third. Emma Johnson and Paige Pasinski also kept pushing the ball forward and making runs to create scoring opportunities.
Although goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress did not have to save a shot, she was a strong contributor in the brick wall of a defensive line as she dished out passes from the back. The backline consisted of Kayleigh Herr, Lily Boyden, Ayscue and Brooklyn Antonucci. The backline used each other well by connecting passes and pushing the ball into the attacking third to allow scoring opportunities, thus limiting action on the Nittany Lions’ half.
- Senior Day
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The seniors were honored on Sept. 30 before kickoff against Brown. The players walked out onto the field with flowers in hand alongside their loved ones. The senior class consists of Boyden, Gress, Herr, Paige Kalal, Molly Martin and Kaelyn Wolfe.
- Undefeated At Home
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The Jeffrey Field Soccer Complex has recently been renovated, and it is stunning. The women’s team has not taken this new complex for granted and has honored it by winning every home game thus far this season.
The team has won four home games and tied twice. The Lady Lions are keeping losses far away from home.
So much has happened within the 2026 season, and we just passed the halfway point. There is still so much more soccer to be played, history to be made and people to be entertained. Be sure to catch a game before the season ends and witness greatness.