Aug. 31, 2014

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In dominating fashion, the No. 8 Penn State field hockey team defeated No. 6 Virginia, 3-0, at the Field Hockey Complex Sunday. It marked the second opening-weekend win over a ranked opponent for the Nittany Lions.

"I'm just so proud of them to get two huge wins here at home this weekend," said head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss. "We showed a lot of mental toughness, I thought."

Penn State improved to 2-0, while Virginia moved to 1-1. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Kylie Licata (Mountain Top, Pa.) recorded a shutout, marking the first time the Cavaliers were held scoreless in a game since 2011.

The Nittany Lions got on the board first with an early goal. Redshirt senior Natalie Buttinger (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) collected a rebound off a penalty corner shot from senior Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) and struck it into the back of the cage just 4:27 into the game. It marked the fifth-year student-athlete's first career goal.

Buttinger made her presence felt again with 24:54 to go in the opening half. Senior Jenna Chrismer (Mountain Top, Pa.) charged toward the cage and dished to Buttinger, who finished the play and put Penn State up 2-0. The score remained unchanged through the first period.

Less than five minutes into the second half, the Nittany Lions capitalized again. On another penalty corner, Herold ripped one towards the net. Senior Amanda Dinunzio (State College, Pa.) deflected the shot past Cavalier goalkeeper Rebecca Holden to give Penn State a 3-0 lead with 30:36 remaining.

The Nittany Lion defense held on to secure the victory.

Penn State continues on the road on Saturday, Sept. 6, taking on Connecticut at noon. The squad also visits Quinnipiac on Sunday, Sept. 7 at noon.