Oct. 24, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Amy Bonenberger drove the ball from mid-field 51 seconds into overtime to score a game-winning goal to put the No. 9 Penn State field hockey team over Indiana, 1-0, Friday at the Field Hockey Field in University Park, Pa.
Bonenberger (Palmyra, Pa.) ignited the vocal blue-clad student section when she performed a stick tackle to steal the ball off a Hoosier offender as Indiana was pressuring the Nittany Lion defense in the early seconds of the first sudden death period. With an open field ahead of her, the junior midfielder sprinted 54 yards down the field, circumvented an Indiana trap at the top of the circle and directed a shot from the right side into the left corner of the goal to preserve Penn State's eight-game winning streak. It was Bonenberger's third game-winning goal of the season, putting her in a tie for the team lead with Bethany Marvel (Newtown, Pa.).
"Amy used great instincts to initiate that goal," head coach Charlene Morett said. "She made an excellent stop to get the ball and made a heads-up play to advance it down the field by herself."
The Nittany Lion goal came in wake of an outstanding performance by Indiana's goalkeeper Alex Mann. Mann made nine saves to keep Penn State scoreless despite having a wide margin in shots, 20-3.
Jen Beaumont (Chalfont, Pa.) made her fifth shutout of the season and the team's eighth. Coming into today's game, the Nittany Lion defense was third in the league in shutouts per game. Beaumont denied Indiana's best scoring attempt in the sixth minute of the game when Haley Funk whipped a one-timer towards the goal and the senior goalkeeper dove to deny it with her glove. The Hoosiers had a breakaway attempt by Meg O'Connell, which was similar to Bonenberger's game-winning goal, but Jen Long (Doylestown, Pa.) prevented her from accessing the circle with a stick stop.
The Nittany Lions couldn't capitalize in the first half, despite having ten shots and 11 circle penetrations. Mann made a swiping save on a Daneen Zug penalty corner shot and stopped a Jessica Longstreth (Richboro, Pa.) breakaway slap shot.
"I was very impressed with Indiana's defensive play," Morett said. "They were able to prevent us from creating a lot of good opportunities and put a lot of pressure on us in their end."
Penn State had significant advantages in both shots, 20-3; circle penetrations, 19-7; and penalty corners, 14-1.
The Nittany Lions increase their lead to one game over Michigan and Michigan State, their final two opponents. Penn State takes on Michigan at home Sunday before traveling to East Lansing, Mich. on Oct. 31. Due to road foreclosures cause by the THON Marathon Sunday, those planning to attend Sunday's game against the Wolverines are asked to park in the Bigler Complex lot across from the Bryce Jordan Center, which will be reserved for field hockey fans only. Sunday also marks Senior Day, when Penn State's six seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.