Penn State had all week to hear about its continued trend of slow starts, conceding the early goal in three of its past four games.
The No. 8 Nittany Lions needed someone to take these frustrations out on, and Northwestern fit the bill perfectly as Penn State dominated the Wildcats, 3-0.
With just four minutes gone in Penn State’s Big Ten opener, senior defender Brittany Basinger crossed a ball into the box that Megan Schafer finished with her head to give the Nittany Lions the early lead. Schafer’s goal was the second of her senior season.
Penn State did not slow down after the opening score.