Oct. 14, 2016
Bag Policy - Parking - Promotions
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, Penn State (12-1, 4-1 B1G) is set to host Big Ten opponent Maryland this Sunday in the Nittany Lions annual Whiteout game at Field Hockey Complex.
WEEKEND RECAP
Penn State extended its unbeaten streak at home to 7-0 as the Nittany Lions downed Big Ten opponent Ohio State 2-0 Oct. 6. The Nittany Lions traveled to Winston-Salem to take on No. 17 Wake Forest; however, the contest was canceled due to poor weather conditions as a result of Hurricane Matthew.
No. 6 MARYLAND SERIES HISTORY
Penn State is 20-13-1 all-time against Maryland in a series dating back to 1975. The Nittany Lions last faced the Terrapins in 2015, falling 1-0 at home.
SCOUTING No. 6 MARYLAND
In their last outing, No. 6 Maryland downed Michigan State 3-1. The win over the Spartans moved the Terrapins to 10-3 on the season and 4-1 in Big Ten play. The Terrapins have defeated four nationally ranked teams including No. 8 Boston College, No. 9 Michigan, No. 13 Princeton and No. 15 Iowa.
- Madison Maguire was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week Tuesday for the first time in her career.
- Grace Balsdon and Welma Luus lead Maryland with 10 goals, Gonzales has seven and Emma Rissinger has five, giving the Terps a balanced attack.
NFHCA RANKINGS
Boasting the second best record in the nation at 12-1 overall, Penn State held on to its No. 5 NFHCA rank in the latest coaches poll. Penn State has now defeated six ranked teams this season including wins over No. 20 Old Dominion, No. 5 Virginia, No. 9 UAlbany, No. 16 Iowa, No. 8 Michigan and No. 11 Princeton.
Penn State is currently ranked in the top five in the nation in several key categories including No. 2 in the nation in penalty corners per game (8.83), scoring margin (3.23), winning percentage (.923) No. 3 in goals per game (4.62), scoring average (4.62), and points per game (12.31)
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
21-of-27 players on the Lions roster have seen significant playing time this season allowing for Penn State to score in a plethora of ways. 11 Lions have scored at least one goal, with six of them scoring five or more through thirteen games this season.
YOUTHFUL TEAM
With an underclassmen to upperclassmen ratio of 17-10, No. 5 Penn State is one of two teams ranked No. 10 or better in the nation with more underclassmen than upperclassmen.
TOP OF THE CHARTS
Penn State's Moira Putsch is tied for No. 1 in assists per game (1.00) and ranked No. 5 in points per game (2.85 pts. per game). In the cage, her teammate Jenny Rizzo is No. 3 in goalie win-loss percentage (.917)
RACE TO THE TOP
Three teams are currently in a tie for the number one spot in the Big Ten standings - No. 5 Penn State, No. 6 Northwestern and No. 7 Maryland. Each of the three teams has suffered just one loss in Big Ten play and remain undefeated on their respective home fields.
COUNTDOWN TO 500
Currently sitting at 495 career wins over her 33 years of coaching, head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss is just five wins away from the 500 mark for her career.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
With a 7-0 recorded at home, including three wins over ranked opponents (No. 20 Old Dominion, No. 5 Virginia, No. 11 Princeton), the Nittany Lions have been able to put up 32 goals and hold their opponents to a total of seven in the confines of Nittany Lion Field Hockey Complex.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON BTN
The penultimate home game against Maryland will be broadcasted on BTN live Sunday, Oct. 16 starting at 4:00 p.m. This crucial contest will be the Nittany Lion's third to last before the Big Ten tournament that is slated to be hosted in College Park, MD by the University of Maryland.
POSTSEASON TRADITION
The Nittany Lions return after making the NCAA Tournament field five of the last six 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.
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