Oct. 2, 2015
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| Field Hockey Complex | University Park, Pa. | 267 | |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) Video: Highlights | Postgame Interview |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Led by a pair of goals by senior captain Stephanie Hussey, the Penn State field hockey team defeated Quinnipiac, 4-1, in non-conference action Friday evening at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
Hussey's (Miami, Fla.) first goal in the 12th minute gave Penn State (5-5) a lead it would not relinquish. Hussey also added the game's final goal in the 48th minute, on a cross along the goal line from Aurelia Meijer (Hattem, The Netherlands.)
"I thought the ball speed and our passing game was good tonight, especially in the first half," said head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss. "I thought we were better defensively low, and I thought their goalie played very, very well. We certainly had a lot of chances again."
Gini Bramley (Elizabethtown, Pa.) gave the Nittany Lions an early lead over Quinnipiac (3-8) with a reverse sweep into the back corner of the cage just two minutes, 11 seconds in. The Bobcats would answer though in the ninth minute, as Lily Shemo found Dayna Barlow in front for in the ninth minute.
However, Brooke Birosik (Ickesburg, Pa.) found Hussey in front in the 12th minute, and then Birosik notched her third penalty stroke goal in the 16th minute, giving the Nittany Lions a quick 3-1 lead.
"That was her best stroke to date, I would say," said Morett-Curtiss.
Penn State outshot Quinnipiac, 27-8, and held the advantage in corner attempts, 12-3. The Bobcats' Megan Conaboy made 10 saves, while Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.) made four saves for the Lions.
Penn State will next hit the road to face No. 20 Princeton Sunday at noon.
"We play well on Friday nights, so we really have to bring it on Sunday," said Morett-Curtiss. "They keep growing and I have to remind myself of their inexperience at times, but I really thought that we had a good week of practice. Tonight I really liked the energy, and getting a lot of people in the game means a lot."