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| Field Hockey Complex | College Park, Md. | 532 | |
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Oct. 10, 2014
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Despite a late surge, the No. 4 Penn State field hockey team fell at No. 2 Maryland, 4-3, on Friday afternoon. The Nittany Lions scored two goals in the final three minutes to get within one, but couldn't finish the comeback attempt. Senior Amanda Dinunzio (State College, Pa.) led the team with a goal and an assist.
"We had an outstanding team effort," said head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss. "At times, we needed to take care of the ball better. Maryland is a very strong team and played well."
Penn State moved to 10-3 on the season, including a 2-2 mark in the Big Ten, while Maryland improved to 10-2 and 4-1 in conference play. The Nittany Lions outshot the Terrapins, 19-11, and held a 12-3 advantage in penalty corners. The Penn State defense held Maryland to more than nine shots less than its season average of 20.4 coming into the contest. It marked the first time this season Penn State gave up more than three goals.
The Nittany Lions created a couple of early chances, including one off a penalty corner, but couldn't capitalize. Maryland got on the board first 9:17 into the game as Lein Holsboer scored, putting the Terrapins up 1-0.
With 22:30 to go in the half, the Nittany Lions were awarded back-to-back corners. On the first attempt, senior Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) fired a shot that was saved by Maryland goalkeeper Brooke Cabrera.
Penn State received another corner with slightly less than 22 minutes to go in the period. Following the insert, Dinunzio let off a shot, which was deflected in by senior Jenna Chrismer (Mountain Top, Pa.) from in front of the cage, knotting the game at 1-1 with 21:03 on the clock.
The Nittany Lions created more opportunities, collecting two more corners within the next minute of play.
Maryland would take a 2-1 lead with 3:04 remaining in the opening stanza as Holsboer deflected a shot over redshirt senior goalkeeper Kylie Licata (Mountain Top, Pa.) off a penalty corner. The score would remain headed into the half.
Penn Stat generated a few early shots in the second half, including three from Herold and two from senior Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.), but couldn't find the back of the cage.
The Terrapins scored the next two goals of the contest, extending their lead to 4-1 with 16:01 to go in regulation with a goal by Alyssa Parker and a penalty stroke score by Anna Dessoye.
With just more than 13 minutes to go in the half, the Nittany Lions generated two more penalty corner opportunities, but wouldn't take advantage despite two strong attempts.
Penn State would start the comeback attempt with three minutes to go in the second half as Herold put one past Cabrera in the left corner of the cage off a penalty corner opportunity. Then, with 1:17 to go, Herold put another shot on goal that was saved, but Dinunzio collected the rebound and put it back into the cage to cut the lead to 4-3 with 1:17 to go. Despite the late surge, Maryland held on for the win.
The Nittany Lions are back in action at home on Tuesday, Oct. 14, taking on Bucknell at the Field Hockey Complex at 7 p.m.