Oct. 16, 2011
Site: University Park, Pa. (Jeffrey Field)
Score: Northwestern 1, Penn State 0
Records: NU (7-4-3, 2-0-1 Big Ten), Penn State (6-6-2, 0-4-0 Big Ten)
Next NU Event:Wednesday, Oct. 19 -- vs. Loyola Chicago (Lakeside Field), 7 p.m.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Oliver Kupe scored the match's lone goal just under 14 minutes into the second half as Northwestern ran its unbeaten streak to five by posting a 1-0 win over Penn State at Jeffrey Field Sunday afternoon.
It is the first win ever for the Wildcats against the Nittany Lions on their home pitch. Since starting the season 1-3-1, NU is 6-1-2 in its last nine matches.
"It was a very good win for us," Northwestern head coach Tim Lenahansaid. "Penn State does a great job neutralizing our strengths and we really had a tough time playing through the middle of the field and keeping the ball which we've done a pretty good job of the last few games. We found a way to grind out a win and make a play."
The Wildcats were able to control possession through the majority of the first half. Kupe nearly put the visitors in front 11 and a half minutes into the match, but his header from six yards in front of the goal was headed away at the post by Penn State defender Matt Smallwood.
Kupe had another terrific chance with just under 17 minutes left in the stanza as a Nittany Lion turnover in the back resulted in Kupe gaining possession and getting alone on the goalkeeper, but Andrew Wolverton made a diving save to keep the match scoreless.
Penn State would finish the opening 45 minutes of play with a 4-3 edge in shots, though NU had the two best chances.
After a pair of near-misses in the first half and a big save by freshman goalkeeper Tyler Miller in the early minutes of the second period, Kupe finally cashed in with his team-leading sixth goal of the year at the 58:52 mark. Peter O'Neill created the play as he made a move to the top right corner of the box. His service in was partially deflected by a PSU defender and found Kupe for a diving header that beat Wolverton from six yards out.
"Oliver really steps up when it's Big Ten or NCAA time," Lenahan said. "He has a habit of making big plays in big games and he certainly did that today."
The one goal proved to be enough for Miller and the Northwestern defense. Miller made three saves the rest of the way, including a diving stop on a shot by Owen Griffith with 14 minutes to go. Overall, he finished with five saves in the contest to earn his seventh shutout of the year.
"I though we did a great job managing the last 10 minutes defensively to earn the shutout," said Lenahan. "Any Big Ten road win is a great win, so we'll take it."
The Wildcats step outside conference play at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they host Loyola Chicago at Lakeside Field.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! and subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!