Oct. 5, 2007
University Park, Pa. - The ninth-ranked Penn State field hockey team, which is on a three-game winning streak after completing its recent three-game homestand with a perfect record, will hit the road once again this weekend as it begin a two-game roadtrip with an important Big Ten matchup at Indiana on Sunday.
The 1:00 p.m. match will air live on the Big Ten Network and will be the field hockey team's first appearance on the Big Ten Network this season. It will be just the first of three matches on the Big Ten Network this season for the Nittany Lions, whose Big Ten games at Iowa and at home against Ohio State will also air on the BTN later this month.
Penn State (8-4, 1-1 Big Ten) is coming off a 3-0 homestand that saw wins over Lock Haven, Northwestern and No. 20 Syracuse over the last two weeks. The Nittany Lions will be looking to extend their winning streak to four against the Hoosiers (5-5, 0-2 Big Ten), who will host Miami (Ohio) on Friday prior to the game on Sunday. Indiana is currently receiving votes in the STX/NFHCA Top 20 poll. The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in fewest goals allowed overall but have dropped their first two Big Ten contests to Ohio State and Iowa, both on the road and both by 2-1 scores. Sunday's game will be the Big Ten home opener for Indiana.
The Nittany Lions hold a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series against the Hoosiers. Indiana's lone win in the series came last year in the final regular season game of the year in State College as the Hoosiers scored an early goal and held on for a 1-0 victory in a game that was played in light snow flurries in late October. Penn State has outscored Indiana 40-6 in its 10 all-time games combined, however each of the last four meetings have been decided by just one goal.
Individually for Penn State, Jen Long recorded her eighth assist of the year on Wednesday vs. Syracuse, equalling her career high for assists in a season that she set last year. Allison Scola has recorded points in each of the last three games while Natalie Blasco has scored a goal in each of the last two games.
The Big Ten Network is available nationally on satellite systems DirecTV (channel 220) and DISH Network (channel 439), as well as 140 cable systems, including WOW! and AT&T U-Verse.. The Big Ten Network is also available in the Centre Region on D&E Communications and in Eastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley on both RCN Cable and Service Electric, which just signed an agreement to carry the Big Ten Network on Friday.
To get the Big Ten Network, fans should call 1-866-WANT-B10 and record a message or be patched through to their cable operator and request that the network be a part of their expanded basic package. Comcast customers should call 1-215-665-1700 to request the Big Ten Network.