Oct. 2, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Junior goalkeeper Ali Meves made one sensational save after another to force overtime and freshman Kelsey Amy provided the game-winner as her first-career goal gave the Penn State field hockey team a thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 18 Ohio State on a rainy Friday afternoon. Meves finished with 11 saves, nine coming after halftime, while sophomore Jessica Longstreth scored her third goal of the season in the first half.
The Big Ten Network was on hand as the game is scheduled to air via tape delay. Watch the debut of this instant classic on Sunday at 4 p.m. It can also be seen on Monday at 12:30 p.m.
Penn State's fourth straight regular season win over the Buckeyes evens its conference record at 1-1. In the process, the Nittany Lions also extended their Big Ten home opening win streak to eight games. Overall, the Lions are 16-2 in their first home Big Ten game with the last loss coming in 2001.
After the Nittany Lions controlled play with the first four shots of the game, Ohio State converted on its first opportunity for a 1-0 advantage. Meves made the initial save off a penalty corner, but the rebound bounced right to Aisling Coyle, who easily found the open cage at the 13:44 mark.
Penn State continued pressuring and it led to the equalizer only 10:49 later when Longstreth forced a penalty corner then scored off the ensuing play. After Hannah Allison's shot was saved, Longstreth corralled the rebound on the end line and released a tough angle shot into the top right corner of the cage at 24:33.
The Buckeyes came out strong after halftime, but when they were able to get a shot off, Meves came up big with save after save. Ohio State's best chances came in the 57th minute off three consecutive penalty corners. The Buckeyes had two quality opportunities off the third corner, but a sprawling Meves made the initial stop and batted the ball out of the air before it got by her.
Meves continued her strong play with three consecutive saves just over four minutes into overtime. That led to a counterattack, which the Lions capitalized on when Amy's low shot found the left side of the cage at 74:52.
Amy's goal now means that a Penn State player has recorded her first-career goal in all four home games thus far. Allison scored vs. Lock Haven while Casey McCartin did so vs. Connecticut and Alex Schlener against West Chester.
Final shots were 17-14 in favor of Penn State while Ohio State held the advantage on corners, 11-9. Buckeye goalkeeper Lindsay Quintiliani made six saves opposite Meves' 11.
The Nittany Lions continue their four-game homestand on Monday against No. 14 Stanford. Gametime is 4 p.m.
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