Sept. 5, 2007
Princeton, N.J. - Britney Long scored two goals, including the eventual difference in the game and Shaun Banta also netted a goal and recorded an assist while playing in her home state of New Jersey as the Penn State field hockey team defeated Princeton 5-1 on Wednesday evening at Class of 1952 Stadium. The win improves the Nittany Lions to 3-1 on the season as well as a perfect 3-0 on the road despite being outshot by the Tigers, 17-13.
The Nittany Lions scored two early goals to go ahead 2-0 just over 13 minutes into the contest. Allison Scola recorded her first goal of the year as she put in a rebound off a shot following a penalty corner to put Penn State up 1-0 just 9:50 into the game. Then, at the 13:43 mark, Britney Long followed with another unassisted goal as she was the recipient of a crossing pass that went off Princeton goalkeeper Cynthia Wray and straight to her as she finished for her third goal of the season.
The Tigers cut the lead to one at 2-1 as Holly McGarvie one-timed a ball past Penn State keeper Jen Beaumont on a rush. Leah Hoglund assisted on the goal at the 16:23 mark. That would be all Beaumont would let past her for the evening, however, as she played outstanding in goal, making eight saves in the game, the second most in a game of her career and the most saves for her in her career in a game that Penn State recorded a victory in.
A little over 15 minutes into the second half, Long netted her second goal of the evening to make it 3-1 Penn State, one that was also unassisted and that came off a offensive rush for the Nittany Lions. The two goals in the game for Long was a career high, as was the four points in the contest for the junior out of Lancaster, Pa.
Allison Scola scored her first goal of the year, which was also the eventual game-winner vs. Princeton. |
Banta, a native of nearby Gibbsboro, N.J., got in on the offensive action at the 61:05 mark as she was found alone in front of the goal by Kiersten Wood to give the Lions a 4-1 lead. Finally, Natalie Blasco netted her first goal of the year at the 64:20 mark as Banta found her with a pass across the circle. Blasco, who scored two goals against Princeton last season, has now scored three of her eight career goals against the Tigers.
In addition to the shot department, Princeton also held an advantage in penalty corners, 5-3. However, the Penn State defense and Beaumont did an outstanding job of turning away most of the Tigers' scoring opportunities. Beaumont made four saves in each half.
With her two goals in the game, Long now has four on the year, which has already tied her career high for goals in a season in just the fourth game. She also now shares the team lead in points with Banta, who also has eight. The five goals scored in the game is also the most scored for the Nittany Lions since they netted six against West Chester on September 17 of last season.
The No. 6 Nittany Lions will now return home to face No. 11 James Madison on Friday at 6:00 p.m. on AstroTurf Field. As part of the weekend festivities surrounding the Penn State-Notre Dame football game, the first 100 fans that enter AstroTurf Field on Friday evening will receive a white Penn State field hockey T-shirt.