Oct. 5, 2016
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Boasting the second best record in the nation, No. 5 Penn State (11-1, 3-1 B1G) is set to host Big Ten opponent Ohio State this week at Field Hockey Complex before hitting the road to take on No. 17 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.
WEEKEND RECAP
Penn State extended its unbeaten streak at home to 6-0 as the Nittany Lions downed Big Ten opponent Michigan State Friday evening, then returned Sunday afternoon to defeat No. 11 Princeton.
OHIO STATE SERIES HISTORY
Penn State is 35-11-2 all-time against Ohio State in a series dating back to 1977. The Nittany Lions last faced the Buckeyes in 2015 falling 2-1 in double overtime in University Park.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
- Last time out, Ohio State picked up a pair of victories moving their record to 5-7 on the season.
- Friday afternoon the Buckeyes downed Kent State 3-2 and followed up that win Monday afternoon by blanking Ball State 3-0.
- Seven players on Ohio States roster have two or more assist this season.
- Liz Tamburro is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in saves (60) and has recorded the second most shutouts in the conference (2).
- Maddy Humphrey leads the way for the Buckeyes this season recording 10 goals and six assists (26 pts.).
No. 17 WAKE FOREST SERIES HISTORY
Penn State is 1-3-0 all-time against Wake Forest in a series dating back to 2001. The Nittany Lions last faced the Demon Deacons in the NCAA Semifinal back in 2007, winning 2-0.
SCOUTING WAKE FOREST
In their last outing, Wake Forest fell short of defeating No. 12 Virginia dropping the match 2-0. The loss moved the Demon Deacons to .500 on the season with a 5-5 record.
Wake Forest is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation with a 5-5 boasting a Top Ten win over then No. 10 Michigan.
- The Demon Deacons are currently 3-0 against Big Ten teams; Wake Forest has defeated No. 10 Michigan (2-0), Ohio State (4-2) and Indiana (2-1) during the 2016 season.
- Nicola Pluta leads the way for the Deacon Demons with 11 goals and three assists (25 pts.)
NFHCA RANKINGS
With the second best record in the nation at 11-1 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), goals per game (4.83), scoring average (4.83), points per game (12.83), winning percentage (.917) and No. 3 in the nation in scoring margin winning by an average of 3.33 goals.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
25-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 ten 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
In the cage for Penn State, sophomore Jenny Rizzo is tied for second in the nation in goalkeeper win-loss percentage (.909%). Her teammate Moira Putsch is No. 2 in assists per game (1.08) and No. 4 in points per game (2.80 pts. per game)
COUNTDOWN TO 500
Currently sitting at 494 career wins over her 33 years of coaching, head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss is just six wins away from the 500 mark for her career.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
With a 6-0 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 30 goals and hold their opponents to a total of seven in the confines of Nittany Lion Field Hockey Complex.
THE GAME SEEN ROUND THE WORLD
No. 5 Penn State will be taking on No. 17 Wake Forest Saturday at 12:00 p.m. live on WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON BTN
Field hockey will have its penultimate home game against Maryland broadcasted on BTN live Sunday, Oct. 16 starting at 4:00 p.m. The crucial contest will be the Nittany Lion's third to last before the Big Ten tournament. Penn State's game at Michigan this week (Sept. 25) will also be streamed on BTN.
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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