EVANSTON, Ill. -- Leigh Jakes (McDonough, Ga./Eagle’s Landing) scored the first goalof her career to give Northwestern an early lead over Penn State, but the Nittany Lions responded to claim a 2-1 win Friday night at Lakeside Field.

Jakes’ goal came in the 12th minute, as the Wildcats (5-5-3, 1-2-1 Big Ten) opened the game with a strong attack and put the visitors on their heels early. Making the first start of her career, freshman Bo Podkopacz (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) created a turnover in the Penn State end and crossed to Jakes, who bent a shot from the top of the box past the Nittany Lions’ keeper and in.

The senior became the ninth player to record a goal for Northwestern this season, and Podkopacz’s third assist ties her for the team lead.

Penn State caught a break in the 31st minute when a scrum in front of the Wildcat net resulted in a yellow card issued to the home side and a penalty kick awarded to Christine Nairn, who converted to tie the game at 1-1.

Nairn scored again in the 67th minute to lift Penn State (4-7-1, 2-1-0) to the victory.

“I thought it was one of our best games when it came to competing and having a lot of heart,” said head coach Stephanie Foster. “Penn State is a really great team. It just didn’t go our way, but I thought we played a good game.”

Carolyn Edwards (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) made three saves in the game for Northwestern, but left the game momentarily in the second half after a collision with Danielle Toney. Redshirt junior Grace Weitz (Golden Valley, Minn./The BreckSchool) came on as a substitute and played nearly 11 minutes before Edwards returned to the game. Weitz did not face a shot on goal.

The Wildcats will wrap up their three match homestand on Sunday, when they play host to Ohio State at Lakeside Field. The match will immediately follow the Northwestern men’s contest with the Buckeyes, and is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:30 p.m.