Sept. 5, 2015
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By Mike Gilbert, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Jenny Rizzo started the day out like most other freshman at Penn State; she went to class. But she ended her Friday in a way not many students are capable of, by leading her field hockey team to its first victory of the season.
As a true freshman, starting at goalie can be an intimidating task. But Rizzo was poised all night, making three clutch saves and holding Temple to a shutout to capture the win.
"You get into the zone when you get out here," said the freshman from Hershey, PA.
"I'm nervous before I put my pads on but once they're on, it's game time."
Rizzo did not look nervous tonight, even as Temple got off 11 shots. Rizzo made a beautiful save on a high-lofting shot midway through the second half, reaching up with her glove and tapping it away from the goal.
The freshman's talent is certainly why she was able to come in and start in net in her first season. But the way the team interacts and includes the freshmen has a big part in their early success. And the freshmen are certainly having success early on in the year.
"We have a [pregame] dance party in the locker room," Rizzo said with a laugh.
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