Weber Scores Two as Lions Shut Out Syracuse

August 25, 2014

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ; Aug. 24, 2014 - Mallory Weber’s two goals and solid defense helped Penn State to a 2-0 shutout over Syracuse on Sunday. The Nittany Lions open the 2014 campaign with a 2-0 record after sweeping the Penn State Invitational.

Penn State outshot Syracuse 5-2 in the first half. But the Nittany Lions’ offense altered their approach and dominated even more in the second half, with 12 of the team’s 17 shots, and both of its goals, coming in the final 45 minutes. Penn State held the Orange to just one shot in the second half.

Just under three minutes after halftime, smart play by Raquel Rodriguez (San Jose, Costa Rica) led to Penn State’s first goal of the game. She took a shot from outside the 18-yard box and Mallory Weber (Novi, Mich.), sweeping down the right side, collected the rebound from the nearside post to put the Nittany Lions up 1-0.

The duo of Rodriguez and Weber struck again at the 52-minute mark. Haleigh Echard (Lebanon, Pa.) made a quick pass from the nearside corner to Rodriquez at the top of the box. The junior midfielder then sliced the ball to Weber, stationed in front of the goal, for the final 2-0 score.

Britt Eckerstrom (Germantown, Md.) earned the clean sheet to improve her record to 2-0. The redshirt junior has been assisted by a strong defensive corps that has allowed just six shots in the two matches.

In the opening game at the Penn State Invitational, West Virginia scored three unanswered goals to topple Missouri, 3-2.

Penn State continues its three-game home stand on August 29th against UConn at 5:30 p.m.