| PENN STATE VS. CALIFORNIA | |
| Friday, Sept. 11 - 6 p.m. ET | |
| Field Hockey Complex | University Park, Pa. | |
| GAME DAY LINKS |
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Game Notes: Penn State | CaliforniaStatistics: Penn State | California
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The No. 14 Penn State field hockey team returns to University Park for their matchup against the Golden Bears of California Friday, Sept 11 at 6 p.m. at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Nittany Lion field hockey team will then travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. for a Sept. 18 match up against the Michigan.
A Night of Firsts
Within the first four minutes of the game against the Temple Owls, the Nittany Lions scored their first goal as freshman Katie Dembrowski found the back of the cage for her first career goal. Dembrowski was assited by Kirsten Gochnauer; her first career assist. Twenty-three minutes later Brooke Birosik scored the Lion's second goal. The Nittany Lions held the Temple Owls for the entire second half, allowing only three shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo ended the game with her first career shut out as Penn State defeated Temple to record their first win of the season.
Back to Winning Ways
Penn State continued their victorious Friday night with a victory over in state opponent Bucknell. Penn State, as in the game against Temple, began the first half with a quick goal by Kirsten Gochnauer, assisted by Aurelia Meijer. The Bison answered back a few minutes before halftime to tie the game at 1-1. The second half would see Emilee Ehret add to the Nittany Lion lead as a foul was called on Bucknell during the Penn State penalty corner earning a penalty stroke, which she successfully converted. Emily Klingler, with only six minutes left in the game would score the final goal giving Penn State a 3-1 win on the road.
California Series History
Penn State holds a 4-0-0 series lead aginst California in a series that dates back to 1980. Penn State defeated California 6-2 in their last meeting back on Oct. 7, 2012
Scouting California
- The Bears finished 2014 8-11 and 2-2 in NorPac play. California returns 18 players from last seasons squad.
- California notched its first win of the season in a 2-1 overtime thriller against Fairfield that was broadcast on the Pac-12 Network Aug 29. - Offensively, Nicole Henriksson leads the squad with four goals and nine points on the season.
- Defensively, Kori Griswold leads the team with 19 saves and a save percentage of .704.
- Shellie Onstead, a 2008 U.S. Olympic assistant coach and Cal Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, is in her 20th season as the head coach of the Golden Bear field hockey program.
In Game Promotions
For this weeks game against California fans in attendance will receive patriotic Penn State field hockey t-shirts (while supplies last) as Friday is Military Appreciation Day. There will be a military contracting ceremony during halftime for select Penn State ROTC Cadets and The National Anthem will be performed by the Penn State Wild Blue Yonders (Air Force ROTC.)
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 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.
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.
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.