Sept. 16, 2015
| PENN STATE VS. MICHIGAN | |
| Friday, Sept. 18 - 6 p.m. ET | |
| Phyllis Ocker Field | Ann Arbor, Mich. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 -->Live Video |Penn State Field Hockey BlogFollow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | InstagramGameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | MichiganStatistics: Penn State | Michigan
| PENN STATE VS.KENT STATE | |
| Saturday, Sept. 19 - 4 p.m. ET | |
| Phyllis Ocker Field | Ann Arbor, Mich. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 -->Live Video | Live StatsPenn State Field Hockey BlogFollow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | InstagramGameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | Kent StateStatistics: Penn State | Kent State
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The No. 18 Penn State field hockey team is on the road again as they travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan for their next two games. Friday, Sept. 18 the Nittany Lions Big Ten play against the Michigan Wolverines at the Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, followed by a non-conference Saturday match against Kent State at 4 p.m.
Last Time Out
With less than five minutes left in the game, the Nittany Lions seemed to have their game against California under control. Both Aurelia Meijer (Hattem, Netherlands) and Gini Bramley (Elizabethtown, Pa.) had scored their first career goals and Penn State looked poised to collect their third win of the season. California had other plans as the Golden Bears rallied to score two goals in the final four minutes of regulation extending the game into overtime. Cal kept the momentum on their side needing only 6:49 to score the winning goal.
Michigan Series History
Penn State is 24-17-0 against Michigan in a series that dates back to 1992. Last season, the No. 6 Nittany Lions fell to the Wolverines, 3-2 in an overtime loss at home.
Scouting Michigan
- The Wolverines return after finishing 2014 13-7 and 7-2 in Big Ten play. Michigan returns 19 players from last season.
- The team returns senior Lauren Thomas, who is a three-time All-Big 10 and NFHCA All-West Region selection.
-Michigan's defense has been one of their strengths this season, holding opponents to 1.52 goals per game and 4.85 penalty corners per game.
- Senior forward, Shannon Scavelli returns as Michigan's top goal scorer tallying seven goals and four assists last season.
- Michigan's freshman class combined for three All-American, and 10 all-state honors during their high school careers.
Kent State Series History
Penn State is 2-0-0 all-time against Kent State in a series dating back to only 2000. The Nittany Lions have not lost to the Golden Flash since the series opener, picking up a 3-1 win at home in 2002.
Scouting Kent State
- The Golden Flashes return after posting an overall record of 11-11 and 5-1 in Mid-American Conference play last season.
- Kent State was selected as the regular season and tournament favorite entering the 2015 season for the Mid-American Conference.
- The Golden Flashes lost their top-two scorers from last season to graduation, but have seen Ines Delpech step up as the offensive threat, leading Kent State in shots on goal.
- Midfielder, Ines Delpech, was MAC Freshman-of-the-Year in her 2014-15 season.
- Goalkeeper Andrea Rinehart had a goal against average of 3.13 and 119 saves while playing every minute of the 2014 season.
- This will be the third neutral site game if the season for Kent State, currently holding a 0-2 record in the previous two neutral site games.
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 had never played in a regular season game for the Lions before 2015.
- 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 sophomore 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.
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.