Oct. 10, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions host Big Ten rival Ohio State on Friday at 3 p.m. to kick off the Penn State homecoming weekend. After the matchup with the Buckeyes, the Blue and White will travel to Bucknell to play the Bison on Sunday in a match that is set to start at noon.
Friday's match vs. Ohio State is Penn State field hockey's official Power of Pink Day, with all proceeds going to the Pink Zone, which raises money to fight breast cancer. The first 250 fans to the match will receive a free pink t-shirt and there will be pink field hockey hats on sale for $10. Penn State will be wearing special pink jerseys for the match to commemorate the event.
All fans are reminded that Penn State has a no bag policy that will be enforced at every Penn State home event throughout the year. One clear plastic one-gallon bag per person is the only bag permitted at all Penn State home events.
Fans are strongly encouraged to park in the East Deck parking lot for Friday's match against Ohio State. Curtin road will be blocked off at 5:30 for the homecoming parade, so please plan accordingly.
Penn State is coming off a big win against No 10 Northwestern by a final score of 2-0 the last time it took the field. By winning, the Nittany Lions extended their win streak to seven matches and remained perfect in Big Ten play, moving their record to 2-0.
The Nittany Lions defense has been on lockdown during its current win streak, recording five shutouts in its last seven matches. The Blue and White's five shutouts are the most in the Big Ten this season. The Lions have allowed one goal in their last five matches combined. Individually, Penn State has won each of the last four Defensive Big Ten Player of the Week awards, with Kylie Licata (Mountain Top, Pa.) being the most recent recipient.
Penn State holds a commanding series lead over the visitors from Ohio State in the all-time series, going 33-10-2 against the Buckeyes. Despite owning a big lead in the head-to-head record, the matchup has been much more even over the past few years.
The two sides have split the last four matches in the series going 2-2 since the 2010 season, with the Nittany Lions claiming victory in the last two meetings. The Blue and White has outscored Ohio State by a combined 4-0 in the previous two contests, winning 1-0 in the 2011 Big Ten Tournament and 3-0 in Columbus a season ago.
Ohio State has had a roller-coaster season thus far. After opening the season with a 2-1 record, including a 3-2 double overtime victory over then No. 20 New Hampshire, the Buckeyes lost four consecutive matches, with back-to-back 1-0 shutouts against No. 7 Massachusetts and No. 6 Syracuse. The team has regrouped from the losing streak and has won two of its last four contests, including a 2-1 win over Ohio this past Sunday.
After Friday's match with the Buckeyes, Penn State will travel to Lewisburg to square off with the Bison. Sunday's match will mark the 40th time Bucknell and Penn State have met. The Nittany Lions have dominated the matchup over the years, compiling a record of 35-2-2 vs. the Bison. Bucknell represents Penn State's oldest ongoing rivalry, as the two sides met in the Nittany Lions' inagural season in 1964. PSU won the match by a final of 4-0.
Bucknell brings a 6-5 record into the weekend and is off to a perfect 3-0 start in the Patriot League. The Bison have won two of their last three matches, picking up wins over Colgate and Lafayette before falling to Temple by a final of 3-1. Bucknell is averaging 2.45 goals per outting while holding opponents to just 1.91 scores per match.
After the meeting with the Bison, the Nittany Lions return home to host the Spartans from Michigan State in their last home match of the season. The contest will be played on Saturday, October 19 at noon.