| PENN STATE VS. TEMPLE | |
| Friday, Sept. 4 - 6 p.m. ET | |
| Field Hockey Complex | University Park, Pa. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 -->Penn State Field Hockey BlogFollow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | InstagramGameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | TempleStatistics: Penn State | Temple
| PENN STATE VS. BUCKNELL | |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 - 12 p.m. ET | |
| Graham Field | Lewisburg, Pa. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
TV: ESPN2 -->Live Video | Live StatsPenn State Field Hockey BlogFollow Us: @PennStateFH | Facebook | InstagramGameday Central
Game Notes: Penn State | BucknellStatistics: Penn State | Bucknell
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The No. 7 Penn State field hockey team returns to University Park for their 2015 home opener against the Temple Owls Friday, Sept 4 at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Nittany Lion field hockey team will then travel to Lewisburg, Pa. for a 12 p.m. match up against the Bison of Bucknell.
First Goals
Stephanie Hussey wasted no time in scoring her first goal as a Nittany Lion, scoring 26 minutes into the first half of the first game of the season against No. 16 Old Dominion. Scoring her career first goal over the weekend was Shay Cannon. The sophomore scored her first and second career goals in a span of one minute, 20 seconds, giving her team a 3-2 lead over No. 9 Virginia late in the second half Sunday.
Bittersweet Start
Despite playing well for large periods of time during its first weekend of competition, controlling possession and holding advantages in shots, Penn State came up just short in the win column after being defeated in two close games. PSU struck first at No. 16 Old Dominion Friday, but a pair of late-half goals off of penalty corners resulted in a 2-1 loss. The Lions again played well against No. 9 Virginia , rallying from a two-goal deficit to take the lead in the second half, but another late goal forced overtime, and the Cavaliers found the back of the cage first for a 4-3 win.
Temple Series History
Penn State is 32-7-2 against Temple in a series that dates back to 1977. Last season, the Nittany Lions picked up a 2-0 victory, and have won 14 of the previous 15 meetings.
Scouting Temple
- The Owls return after finishing 2014 14-7 and 3-2 in BIG EAST play. Temple returns 20 players from last season.
- The team returns senior Alyssa Delp who was unanimously selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.
- Offensively, Tricia Light and Sarah Deck lead the team with two goals and five points apiece.
- Defensively, goalkeeper Haley Mitchell has logged 132 of 140 possible minutes over this past weeked opening the season with a .714 save percentage through two games this season.
- Marybeth Freeman is in her 1st season at the helm of the Owls after spending five seasons as the head field hockey coach for Columbia University, she was previously an assistant coach at the University of Maryland for seven seasons, winning three national championships with the Terps.
Bucknell Series History
Penn State is 37-2-2 all-time against Bucknell in a series dating back to 1964,the first year in program history. The Nittany Lions have not lost to the Bison since 1970, picking up a 4-1 win at home last season.
- The Bison return after posting a 13-6 mark last season.The squad returns two of its top goal scorers from 2014.
- Kiersten Sydnor is the team's leading returning scorer, posting seven goals in 2014. She was second on the squad in goals and points (16).
- Bucknell notched its first win of the season against Monmouth 2-1 in a Patriot League Network broadcast game on Aug. 30.
- Offensively, Nicole Rupnik, Kiersten Sydnor, and Anna Wills are tied for the squad lead with one goals and two points on the season.
- Defensively, Shannon Keen leads the team with seven saves and a save percentage of .636.
- Jeremy Cook is in his ninth season at the helm.
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. - The Bison are 1-1 this season and 0-0 in the Patriot League.
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 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.
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.
Parking and Bag Policy
Fans should park in the East Deck parking lot by the East Area locker rooms. A reminder to fans and visitors that bags may be subject to inspection upon entering the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.