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NCAA Women’s Tournament: Penn State, WVU play Saturday, plus Friday’s 2nd Round results

The second round of the 2020-21 DI women’s soccer championship continues Saturday with eight matches in action starting at 12 p.m. ET including Penn State and West Virginia.

“It’s finally tournament time, and we have been working extremely hard for this opportunity,” Mountaineer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said.

“We have a ton of respect for Rice, as they don’t give up a lot of goals and have won 13 games. Our team knows what is at stake tomorrow, and they are excited to play.”

Meanwhile, Penn State will be facing No. 16 Vanderbilt at 3 p.m.

A four-goal first half propelled the Penn State women’s soccer team (11-2-1 , 9-1-1) to a 5-0 win over the Alabama State (9-3-1, 6-0-1) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday night.

The Nittany Lions were led by senior captain Frankie Tagliaferri who netted two goals in the win. Payton Linnehan scored once and added two assists and Olivia Damico netted the first goal of her Nittany Lion career in the win.

Penn State makes its 26th-straight NCAA Tournament in 2020-21, a streak dating back to 1995.

The Nittany Lions are 20-3 in first-round matches (PSU received byes from the first round in 1998, 1999 & 2000). Penn State is in the midst of a 11-match first round winning streak after their win against Alabama St. on Wednesday.

Penn State has advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament each of the last three seasons and seven times since 2011.


On Friday, North CarolinaUCLATexas A&MTCUOle MissOklahoma StateClemson and Washington all clinched spots in the third round. 

Friday’s matches were highlighted by some intense extra-time play in three matches. Ole Miss pulled the biggest upset of the day, shocking No. 8 Southern Cal in penalty kicks (3-2). Goalkeeper Ashley Orkus held the backline strong for Ole Miss, recording eight saves in the match. Washington also forced an upset in a defensive bout with No. 15 Saint Louis. The Huskies went on to advance in PKs 4-3. No. 14 Clemson also went down to the wire against Rutgers. The Tigers advanced on penalty kicks (5-3) after extra time.

Here are all of Friday’s second round results:

  • No. 2 North Carolina def. Denver 2-0
  • No. 3 UCLA def. Iowa 2-1
  • No. 7 Texas A&M def. South Florida 2-0
  • No. 4 TCU def. New Mexico 6-2
  • Ole Miss def. No. 8 Southern Cal 2-2 (3-2) PKs
  • No. 10 Oklahoma State def. South Alabama 7-0
  • No. 14 Clemson def. Rutgers 1-1 (5-3) PKs
  • Washington def. No. 15 Saint Louis 0-0 (4-3) in PKs

Click or tap here to see the interactive bracket. Here is the printable bracket .PDF.


Here is Saturday’s second-round schedule, including live streams. All times ET.

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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