Sep 9, 2013
By Julie Bacanskas, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 6 Nittany Lions hosted Temple and No. 4 Connecticut this weekend, falling to both teams in their first two home games of the 2013 season.
On Friday night, the Lions played their home opener, taking on the Temple squad. Despite outshooting the Owls 16-4, and having the obvious advantage in penalty corners, the team was defeated by a final score of 3-0.
"They executed their corners and we didn't," stated head coach Char Morett. "That was the difference."
Penn State was unable to capitalize on any of their 12 penalty corners, whereas Temple was able to make three of their four truly count.
"It's frustrating, but we know what we have to work on," said junior captain Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.). "We're notorious for our corners, so I think it's just a matter of time for them to be successful. We have to refocus and move forward."
After a short break, Penn State took the field again on Sunday afternoon for a game against Connecticut. Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) and Jenna Chrismer (Mountain Top, Pa.) were part of the starting lineup, a change from Friday's game against Temple.
"The reason Taylor and Jenna didn't start on Friday was because they didn't practice all week. They were both injured, so we thought the other girls, who were working hard, could come out and do some good things," commented Morett on the change. "Taylor had a hip injury, and Jenna had a knee injury. They're both fine now."
The Lions came out strong against the Huskies, playing in a more aggressive manner than they had on Friday evening. The team's penalty corners were noticeably improved. Nevertheless, UConn was able to strike first, marking the fourth time this season that the Lions have had to play from behind.
"I think what's positive is the team is coming back," commented Morett on the situation. "I don't think they ever feel dejected when they're down. They just keep battling, and I think that's a great mentality for a team to have."
At the start of the second half, Penn State was trailing UConn by a score of 2-1, and the momentum of the game was in the Lion's favor. Unfortunately, due to a strange turn of events, with 26:15 left in the second, an injury time-out had to be called for official Beth Bozman. Bozman was unable to continue officiating, which resulted in a game break that lasted for more than 20 minutes. Two qualified spectators were brought from the stands to assist official Brian Hope for the remainder of the game.
"I don't think the break really affected us," stated Morett. "I'm pleased to say that. I thought that Brian did a really good job, and I thought the other two substitute officials did well coming out of the stands. I give them a lot of credit, and thank them for the job they did. Officiating was good today."
"I have never seen that before in my life," said Herold. "Before it happened, the momentum was going our way, so I was a little worried, but I knew we were all pumped up and ready to get back in the game. We all stayed loose and just hit around."
When play finally resumed, Penn State came out fighting. At 48:35, Herold tied the game at two during the team's ninth penalty corner of the game.
"I was really fired up from just sitting and watching the team practice this week," said Herold. "I hate sitting out. Just to be able to play again got me really pumped up. Coming into the game, I was ready to score."
Shortly after another goal by Connecticut, Herold scored again, tying the game at three and forcing a sudden death, seven-on-seven overtime. Despite a great scoring opportunity in the form of a penalty corner, the Lions were unable to solidify the win, falling to the Huskies 4-3.
"We haven't beaten this team in the past seven years, and we've always out-played them," said Morett. "The past couple years it's been a one-goal game, and we really felt that it was going to be our day."
Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions were very satisfied with their play, as well as with the incredible improvements they had made from Friday's game.
"You can't be mad about a game like that," said Herold. "It was a battle out there today. Both teams played really well and never gave up."
After these two losses, the Nittany Lions will refocus and prepare for their next game against Lock Haven, which is away at 7 p.m. this Wednesday night. "You put these games behind and move on," said Morett. "It's over now. We have to look at the tape, learn from this game and get prepared for Lock Haven."