Former Penn State women’s soccer star Sam Coffey earned her first career start and cap with the United States Women’s National Team against Nigeria on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C.

Coffey played all 90 minutes in the international friendly match and almost notched an assist in the game, but veteran USWNT teammate Alex Morgan narrowly missed the goal.

Cap No. 1 for @sscofff! pic.twitter.com/iDDQaZympQ

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) September 7, 2022

Coffey started at the center defensive midfielder spot, a position currently up for grabs in the USWNT’s lineup. The Nittany Lion led the team with 10 recoveries and tallied 44 completed passes, 13 of which were in Nigeria’s defensive third of the field.

“For somebody who’s playing their first cap in front of a full stadium in a tight game, I thought she did a very good job,” said Vlatko Andonovski, head coach of the USWNT in a post-game interview.

This is Coffey’s second call-up to the USWNT this year. The first call-up came in June for the team’s international friendly against Columbia. She didn’t see any playing time, but described it as a “surreal experience.”

“There is nothing better than watching someone you love have their dreams come true,” Penn State women’s soccer head coach Erica Dambach said on Instagram Tuesday night. “It couldn’t have happened to a better person.”

When not traveling with the USWNT, Coffey is in the midst of her rookie season with the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League. The midfielder has solidified herself a spot in the Thorns’ starting lineup and was even named the NWSL’s Rookie of the Month in June. The Thorns currently hold a 7-7-3 record and are ranked fourth in the league.

The USWNT finished out its slate of games scheduled for September, but a matchup between the United States and England is set for 3 p.m. on October 7 at Wembley Stadium.

On this side of the pond, Coffey and the Portland Thorns are set to continue the NWSL season with a road game at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 9, against the Orlando Pride.