No. 14 BYU visits defending-champ Penn State

PROVO, Utah – The No. 14 BYU women's soccer team will follow up its first home loss in 19 games by playing defending national champion No. 5 Penn State on the road Friday night. The two teams will square off at 7:00 p.m. EDT at Jeffrey Field in State College, Pennsylvania.

BYU Storylines

For the Cougars (1-1-0), it provides a nice opportunity to bounce back from a tough showing against Nebraska. In Monday night's 1-0 loss, BYU was held scoreless at South Field for the first time since Aug. 25, 2014 (0-0 tie vs. Washington State) and allowed a goal at home for just the second time since the beginning of last season.

Two games into the season, both Cougar goals have come from senior forward and preseason All-WCC selection Ashley Hatch. The lone BYU assist came from MAC Hermann Trophy candidate Nadia Gomes.

The Cougars jumped up to No. 14 in the NSCAA rankings following their win at Washington State, but the polls have yet to reflect their loss to the Cornhuskers.

PSU Storylines

Penn State won its first national championship in program history last year, the second time head coach Erica Dambach has taken the Nittany Lions to the title game. In both years Penn State has played for the championship (2015 and 2012), Dambach was named NSCAA Coach of the Year.

The Nittany Lions (1-0-1) tied their first game against No. 6 West Virginia, 1-1. They subsequently beat Hofstra 3-1. MAC Hermann Trophy nominee Megan Schafer returns for Penn State after 13 goals and four assists last year.

Game Information

• Radio: The Cougar IMG Sports Network, BYU Radio (Sirius XM 143) and ESPN 960 AM
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play) and Colette Smith (analyst)
• Live video: Free stream at GoPSUSports.com

Series Information

• Series record: BYU leads 1-0
• Last meeting: BYU won 3-1 in Provo on Sept. 8, 2012