US women’s national soccer team captures Olympic gold — after strong play by Penn State alum

The U.S. women’s national soccer team captured its first gold medal since 2012 on Saturday, behind two starting Penn State alumnae — one of whom might’ve just cemented “legend” status.

The USWNT edged Brazil 1-0 behind a strong defensive effort, one spearheaded by Penn State alum and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. (Sam Coffey, who last played for the Nittany Lions in 2021, started at midfield.) And Naeher’s impact cannot be understated.

In the second half, in stoppage time, her outstretched right arm prevented the equalizer on a diving header from Brazil. But it was her save at the end of the first half — again in stoppage time — that could become a staple of future USWNT highlight reels. On a close-range shot, one seeking the corner of the net, Naeher instantly shifted and got both hands on the ball to deflect it away.

One ESPN writer dubbed it a “magical reaction.” NBC commentator Jon Champion referred to it on the broadcast as a “miraculous save.”

Naeher finished the match with four saves. Brazil controlled possession for nearly 60% of the time and outshot the USWNT 13-9.

USWNT’s Mallory Swanson scored the eventual game-winner in the 57th minute, on an assist from Korbin Albert, by finding the bottom right-corner of the net.

It was the USWNT’s first gold medal since the 2012 London Olympics, when the USA beat Japan 2-1. The USA did not earn a medal in 2016 and finished with bronze in 2020/2021.

Naeher has been praised for helping get the team this far. Her late stop against Germany helped catapult the USWNT into the gold-medal match and, in six matches this Olympics, she allowed only two goals.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper played at Penn State from 2006-2009, where she was a two-time All-American and 2007 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Coffey, who transferred from Boston College, spent three seasons with the Nittany Lions and was the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2020-21.