Sept. 7, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The sixth-ranked Penn State field hockey team (2-2) under the direction of 25th year head coach Charlene Morett, will travel to No. 13 Princeton on Thursday for a 6 p.m. matchup with the Tigers. The Nittany Lions will be looking for their first win at Princeton since 2007.
Despite being up 1-0 in the first half, Penn State had a tough 2-1 overtime setback in its most recent matchup on Sunday to the No. 4 Connecticut Huskies. In front of one of the largest crowds ever at a Penn State field hockey game, UConn's Kim Krzyk scored the game winner, which allowed the Huskies to escape Happy Valley with a 2-1 victory.
Penn State's lone goal in the loss to the Huskies came from junior Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.), who scored for the second consecutive game. Amy also netted a goal at Lock Haven last Friday, where she recorded a game-high 10 shots in the contest. Freshman Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.) earned an assist on Amy's goal vs. UConn and also contributed two assists in the Lock Haven game. Gebhart has a team-leading five assists on the year, which also ranks second in the Big Ten.
Gebhart is not the only freshman that has made an immediate impact for the Nittany Lions this year. Freshman Jenna Chrismer (Mountain Top, Pa.) has been a primary scorer for Penn State as well, as she is tied for the team-lead in points with six. Senior Hannah Allison (Mifflinburg, Pa.) also has six points on three goals, to go along 14 shots, which is second on the team behind Amy.
The 13th-ranked Tigers are coming off a tough 2-0 loss to American on Sunday afternoon. Princeton kept things scoreless against the Eagles until the 62nd minute of the game. Princeton is 1-1 on the year, with its season opener resulting in a 2-0 victory at Bucknell on Sept. 2. Colleen Boyce and Charlotte Krause have recorded the lone goals for the Tigers this season.
Penn State holds a commanding 23-6 all-time record against Princeton. In the most recent matchup between the two squads last year, Penn State earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over Tigers on the University Park campus. Ayla Halus (Hershey, Pa.) was solid in the cage for the Lions, as she posted her fifth shutout of the season and recorded four saves.
Following Thursday, the Nittany Lions return to action on Sunday in a noon matchup, playing host to Quinnipiac. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive American Pride T-Shirts, in honor of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. Penn State's next road trip will come at No. 9 Duke on Sept. 17.
Penn State hosts the 2011 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament from Nov. 3-6. Tickets for the Big Ten Tournament can be purchased by contacting the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office at 814-865-5555. All session passes are $18 for adults and $12 for students/senior citizens. Single session tickets will run at $8 for adults and $5 for students/senior citizens. Groups of 15 people or more may also purchase tickets at $12 for all session passes and $5 for a single session.
Check back to GoPSUsports.com for continued updates throughout the 2011 season.
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