Aug. 27, 2015
| PENN STATE VS. OLD DOMINION | |
| Friday, Aug. 28 - 6 p.m. ET | |
| Powhatan Complex | Norfolk, Va. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 --> Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats Penn State Field Hockey Blog Follow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | Instagram Gameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | Old Dominion
Statistics: Penn State | Old Dominion
| PENN STATE VS. VIRGINIA | |
| Friday, Aug. 30 - 12 p.m. ET | |
| University Hall Turf Field | Charlottesville, Va. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 --> Live Video | Live Audio | Penn State Field Hockey Blog Follow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | Instagram Gameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | Virginia
Statistics: Penn State | Virginia
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The No. 7 Penn State field hockey team opens the season on the road after making the NCAA Tournament field each of the last four seasons. The Nittany Lions begin with No. 18 Old Dominion on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. before traveling to No. 9 Virginia on Sunday, Aug. 3 at noon at the Turf Field.
Traditional Opening
Penn State is opening against Old Dominion and Virginia together for the sixth consecutive season, and opening against Old Dominion for the 13th consecutive season. Coach Morett-Curtiss also elected to open against ODU in 1989, 1991 and 2000.
Old Dominion Series History
Penn State is 14-15 all-time against Old Dominion. The Nittany Lions have won the last three matchups against the Monarchs (2012, 2013, 2014).
Virginia Series History
Penn State is 16-6 all-time against Virginia. The Nittany Lions suffered a 4-2 loss to the Cavaliers on the road in 2013 season, but have won three out of the last four matchups (2011, 2012, 2014).
Postseason Fixture
The Nittany Lions return after making the NCAA Tournament field each of the last five seasons. Penn State has been at the top of the Big Ten in those seasons as well, being named co-conference regular season champions in 2013 and the outright winner in 2012. The squad won the Big Ten Tournament in 2011 and 2012.
Youth Movement
- Penn State opens the 2015 season with a young roster comprised of 10 freshmen, eight sophomores, five juniors, and two seniors.
- The squad returns just three starters from 2014 in
junior Carly Celkos, junior Emilee Ehret and sophomore Cori Conley.
- Of the 25 players on the roster, 15 have never played in a regular season game for the Lions.
- Of Penn State's 57 goals and 36 assists (150 points) tallied last season, just seven goals and seven assists (21 points) are returning.
Preseason Accolades
Senior Stephanie Hussey, junior Carly Celkos and sophomoroe Cori Conley were each named to the 2015 Big Ten Field Hockey Players to Watch List.
Remaining Elite in the Rankings
The Nittany Lions were selected No. 7 in the 2015 Penn Metro/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll. The squad holds the second-highest ranking of any Big Ten team in the top 20. Maryland (No. 3) is the only conference foe ranked higher. Penn State plays eight teams ranked that are ranked in the preseason poll.
Scouting Old Dominion
- The Lady Monarchs return after finishing 2014 11-8 and 4-1 in BIG EAST play, missing the NCAA Tournament.
- ODU returns 13 players from last season.
- The team returns senior Sarah Breen and junior Megan Byas, who were selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.
- Sarah Breen and Megan Byas also earned All-BIG EAST first team and second team honors a season ago, respectively.
- Andrew Griffiths is in his third season as the head coach.
Scouting Virginia
- The Cavaliers return after posting a 12-8 mark last season, missing the NCAA Tournament.
- The squad returns four of its top goal scorers from 2014.
- Tara Vittese is the team's leading returning scorer, posting 17 goals in 2014. She lead the squad in goals and points (51).
- Forward Lucy Hyams comes back for her third season after being named ACC Freshman of the Year in 2013.
- Michele Madison is in her 10th season as head coach.
On the Turf and in the Classroom
The Penn State field hockey program had six athletes recognized by Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes students from every institution and 38 different sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.
Katie Breneman, Carly Celkos, Amanda Dinunzio, Laura Gebhart, Kirsten Gochnauer, and Haley Kerstetter, all earned the accolade.
Challenging Schedule
Penn State has again put together a top-tier schedule, facing eight teams that were ranked in the 2015 NFHCA Preseason Poll, including conference-foes Maryland (3), Northwestern (10), Michigan (14), Iowa (17), and Michigan State (19). Along with the conference opponents, the squad also has matchups against Virginia (9), Princeton (15) and Old Dominion (16). Three teams (Princeton, Northwestern and Maryland) each made the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
In the Spotlight on BTN
Field hockey will have its home finale against Iowa broadcasted on BTN live Friday, Oct. 23 starting at 3:30 p.m. The crucial contest will be the second to last for the Lions before the Big Ten tournament. The two prior games at Rutgers (Oct. 16) and Indiana (Oct. 18) will be streamed on BTN2GO.
Leaders of the Pack
Seniors Haley Kerstetter and Stephanie Hussey were named the captains for the 2015 season.
Penn State Field Hockey on Social Media
Penn State field hockey is on social media. Follow the program on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PennStateFieldHockey) and Twitter/Instagram @PennStateFH. For all of your Penn State news, visit www.GoPSUsports.com.