Sept. 20, 2009
Box Score | Season Stats | Photo Gallery
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Led by a strong defensive effort and a balanced scoring attack, the Penn State field hockey team cruised to a 5-0 victory over intrastate rival West Chester on Sunday afternoon. The Nittany Lions used goals from five different scorers, including the first-career tally from redshirt freshman Alex Schlener, on their way to a lopsided 29-1 shot advantage and their second home win of the season.
The one shot allowed was the fewest since last season's season opener against Old Dominion when the Monarchs were held shot-less. The Lions also had 22 shots on goal, which were the most since Sept. 19. 2008 when they had 24 in a 6-0 win over Georgetown.
Penn State set the tone early with a goal only 4:03 into the contest. Redshirt senior Christine Dudek broke the ice by corralling a Jenny Purvis rebound before beating West Chester goalkeeper Joelle Zarefoss for the early lead.
Penn State made it 2-0 at 12:21 when senior Amy Bonenberger unleashed a rocket off a penalty corner which beat Zarefoss five-hole.
Sophomore Casey McCartin's second-career goal at 25:47 rounded out the first half scoring to make it 3-0 heading into halftime. Bonenberger took the original shot off a corner, which redirected right to McCartin who let go a high shot for the score.
Jessica Longstreth's sensational individual effort made it 4-0 only 4:08 into the second half. The sophomore forward made a number of moves on the end line before bringing the ball in front of the cage and finding the inside of the right post.
Schlener then scored her first-career goal at 54:24, unleashing a long backhand shot that found the right corner of the cage.
The Nittany Lions dominated possession and didn't allow West Chester many offensive opportunities. The Golden Rams' first shot didn't come until 63:31, which redshirt freshman goalkeeper Ayla Halus stopped for her only save of the afternoon.
Final shots were 29-1 in favor of Penn State while penalty corners stood at 12-1, Nittany Lions. Halus made one save for her first-career shot, and the Lions' first of the season, while Zarefoss was busy with 17 stops.
Penn State hits the road for two straight, at No. 4 Princeton on Wednesday before traveling to Michigan on Sunday for the Big Ten opener. Check back to GoPSUsports.com for complete news, notes and more as the Lions look to gain momentum entering the conference slate.
Follow Penn State field hockey on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PennStateFH.