Sept. 6, 2016
NFHCA Rankings
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Sporting a 4-0 record for the first time since 2003, Penn State field hockey shot up the rankings to the No. 5 team in the nation per the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll released Tuesday afternoon.
The biggest mover in the poll was No. 5 Penn State, which rose 13 spots from the preseason rankings after starting the year 4-0 with three wins over top-20 opponents. The Nittany Lions have defeated then-No. 20 Old Dominion, No. 5 Virginia and No. 9 Albany while opening a season at 4-0 for the first time since 2003.
Penn State is currently top-five in the nation in several key categories including No. 4 in the nation in goals per game (5.00), scoring average (5.00), scoring margin (4.00), No.5 in penalty corners (10.00), and points per game (13.75).
Defending NCAA champion Syracuse nabbed the top spot with 25 first-place votes over new No. 2 Duke and No. 3 North Carolina who fell two spots from the preseason poll.
Penn State welcomes 2-0 Lock Haven to University Park and Field Hockey Complex Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. for a matchup of undefeated squads.
Admission is free for all fans at Penn State Field Hockey Complex during the regular season.