Corinne Bednarik Tallies Five Goals as Drexel Knocks Off No. 25 Penn State

Wednesday, February 28

Vidas Field

3 p.m.

Drexel University

3-2

Penn State

2-3

PSU

Drexel

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Corinne Bednarik Tallies Five Goals as Drexel Knocks Off No. 25 Penn State

2/28/2024 6:04:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Corinne Bednarik led the way for the Dragons with five goals to help Drexel vanquish No. 25 Penn State 10-8 at Vidas Field. This is Drexel's second straight victory over the Nittany Lions at home, including their first victory over a top-25 team for DU since defeating No. 19 John Hopkins last season. With the win, Drexel improves to 3-2 on the year while Penn State drops to 2-3.

BY THE NUMBERS

Jenika Cuocco held down the net with 11 saves.
Drexel finishes 13-14 on clear attempts.
Anna Maria Gragnani scores twice.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After both teams fought for control early in the game, Kelly MacKinney broke through to get the Nittany Lions on the board first. The Dragons bounced back thanks to Bednarik's first goal of the night, tying things up at one. PSU was able to capitalize off Drexel penalties late in the quarter, scoring two goals in the final 1:11 minutes left to take a 3-1 lead.
DU came roaring back in the second quarter, with Molly Weygand getting things started off, with the assist from Bednarik. Bednarik quickly followed up to score again and cut the lead down to one. Kate Marano was next to join the party for the Dragons, knocking down the defender and smashing the back of the net. Drexel scored three straight and took their first lead of the night 4-3. After Penn State bounced back to tie the game up at four apiece, Allison Drake scored her fourth goal on the year to take the lead back 5-4. The Nittany Lions quickly responded with just 0:18 remaining in the quarter to take both teams to the break knotted up at five.
Drexel responded in the beginning of the third quarter, taking advantage of Penn State's player-down with a goal from Gragnani. Meghan Murray led the way for the Lions with three goals, including one at the 8:30 mark to tie things up again at six. DU came back to two with goals from Bednarik and Gragnani. The Dragons decided with roughly 0:50 seconds left in the quarter to hold for one shot. With 0:20 left on the game clock, Bednarik made a spectacular play, shooting in between the Nittany Lion defender's legs to hit the back of the net to go up 9-6.
Penn State made the call to pull starting goalie Syndey Manning for Ashley Bowan to begin the fourth. Bowan made the most of her opportunity, allowing just one goal with two saves. This helped the PSU make a comeback in the quarter, first from Brooke Hoss to cut the lead down 9-7. Murray was then able to squeak by the Drexel defense to hit the bottom quarter of the net to bring the Nittany Lions to within one. With just 1:18 left, Bednarik took over. Bednarik circled around multiple defenders and smoked the net on a shovel shot, to clinch the game, 10-8.