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Kulpa’s Strike Lifts Penn State Past Minnesota in Big Ten Home Opener

Kulpa’s Strike Lifts Penn State Past Minnesota in Big Ten Home Opener

By: Matt Flanagan | SportzWire | September 13, 2026 | Photo courtesy Jake Speicher

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State women’s soccer returned to Jeffrey Field and delivered the response it needed Sunday afternoon.

Aubrey Kulpa scored the match’s only goal in the 34th minute as the Nittany Lions defeated Minnesota, 1-0, to secure their first Big Ten victory of the season.

Penn State improved to 3-2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play while bouncing back from Thursday’s narrow 1-0 loss at No. 6 Ohio State. Minnesota fell to 5-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions controlled much of the action, finishing with an 18-7 advantage in shots and putting eight attempts on goal. Penn State also earned 11 corner kicks compared with four for Minnesota.

That pressure finally produced a breakthrough at the 33:01 mark.

Freshman Olivia Robinson helped create the opportunity before Kulpa delivered a right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner of the net. It was Kulpa’s third goal of the season and Robinson’s first collegiate assist.

Penn State continued to press after taking the lead, but Minnesota goalkeeper Sarah Martin kept the Golden Gophers within striking distance. Martin finished with a season-high seven saves, including four in the second half.

The Nittany Lions’ defense made the one-goal advantage stand.

Minnesota managed just two shots on goal during the match, with Penn State goalkeeper Mackenzie Gress stopping both to secure the clean sheet. The shutout was Penn State’s third of the season after earlier victories over Bucknell and Brown.

Ava Westlund and Tenley Senden registered Minnesota’s two shots on target, but neither was able to provide the equalizer. Penn State limited the Golden Gophers to only three total shots in the second half while continuing to generate opportunities at the opposite end.

Paige Kalal led the Nittany Lions with four shots, while Kulpa and Bella Ayscue recorded three apiece. Penn State produced 10 shots in the opening half and added eight more after the break.

The victory provided an important early response for a Penn State team that opened conference play with a difficult road test at Ohio State. After failing to convert despite producing 16 shots against the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions turned another strong attacking performance into a winning result against Minnesota.

Penn State will continue Big Ten play Friday when it travels to face Maryland. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. in College Park.