Aug 22, 2013
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - The Penn State field hockey program has placed three athletes on the Big Ten's 2013 Field Hockey Players to Watch List. The three Nittany Lions garnering this recognition are seniors Brittany Grzywacz (Collegeville, Pa.) and Whitney Reddig (Lititz, Pa.) and junior Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.).
Grzywacz is coming off a standout 2012 campaign, where the Methacton High product was named the 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Last season Grzywacz set a career-high in goals scored with 12 and ranked second on the team and eighth in the Big Ten in that category. The defender was also named first team All-Big Ten, NFHCA All-America third team and Academic All-Big Ten.
Thursday's honor is the first for Reddig, who led the team and ranked second in the conference in assists with 16 a season ago. The midfielder added six goals to total 28 points in 2012, the ninth most in the Big Ten. Last season Reddig earned NFHCA National Academic Squad and Academic All-Big Ten status.
2013 marks the second-straight season Gebhart has been placed on the Big Ten's Field Hockey Players to Watch List. The junior, a 2011 and 2012 first team All-Big Ten selection, is coming off an impressive summer, as Gebhart captained the U.S. National Team at the Junior World Cup in Germany. The Donegal High product matched her career-highs in goals (6), assists (12) and points (24) last season. The midfielder also earned second team NFHCA All-America, Academic All-Big Ten, NFHCA National Academic Squad and Big Ten All-Tournament Team honors in 2012.
Grzywacz, Reddig, Gebhart and the rest of the Nittany Lions will begin this season with an exhibition on Friday, August 23 at 5 p.m., as the team hosts the 2012 NCAA Tournament semifinalists Maryland. An autograph session will be held following the game for fans at the field.
Penn State's regular season-opener is scheduled for August 30 at Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va. with a 5 p.m. start. The Lion's first regular season home match is on Friday, Sept. 6, as the team hosts Temple in a 5 p.m. start.