Nov. 1, 2010
Complete Bracket in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After piecing together a four-game winning streak to end the regular season on a high note, the Penn State field hockey team will open up postseason play against Indiana on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET during the first round of the Big Ten Tournament hosted by Northwestern at Lakeside Field.
The Nittany Lions, who wrapped up the regular season with a 13-4 record including a 4-2 mark in league play, enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Indiana, who finished seventh in the Big Ten, tallied a 9-8 record during the year and posted a 1-5 mark in Big Ten action.
The winner of their opening round match-up will advance to the semifinals to face the survivor of the Michigan - Iowa match on Friday at 3 p.m. Ohio State, who earned a bye after capturing the regular season crown, will await the winner of the Michigan State - Northwestern contest.
After an off-day on Saturday, the finals are slated for Sunday at 3 p.m. Both the semifinals and finals will be telecast on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State faced Indiana once this year with the Nittany Lions capturing a 1-0 decision at the PSU Field Hockey Complex on September 24. During the contest, Lauren Purvis netted the lone goal and Ayla Halus recorded the shutout in a game that served as both teams' Big Ten opener.
Overall, the Lions hold a 12-3 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to 1978. The programs have faced off twice before in postseason action, splitting the two contests. The Hoosiers topped Penn State in the 2008 semifinals, 1-0, after the Lions posted a convincing 8-0 victory in 2000.