Full Notes 8-22 / click for pdf!
THIS WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Penn State Nittany Lions (0-0, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 6 in the 2018 NFHCA Preseason Poll, will open up the season hosting No. 7 Virginia at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 17-5 season that saw them advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. Virginia went 15-5 last year and bowed out in the first round of last year's NCAA tournament.
Penn State returns 11 athletes with starting experience, including defending Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Moira Putsch and fellow first team All-Region goalie Jenny Rizzo. Gini Bramley seniors like Putsch and Rizzo, are part of a talented senior class looking to drive Penn State through the 2018 season.
Putsch led Penn State with 57 points off 21 goals and 15 assists last season and Bramley anchored the Nittany Lion midfield, scoring 25 points off ten goals and five assists. Senior Aurelia Meijer returns after a 19 points season (seven goals, five assists) while Rizzo returns in goal for Penn State after a 2017 season that saw her notch a 1.33 goals against average with 113 saves and a .796 save percentage.
Virginia will be led by Greta Ell, who was third on the team last season with 26 points off 13 goals. Keeper Carrera Lucas returns after starting every game for the Cavaliers last season. She had a 1.75 goals against average with 76 saves and a .710 save percentage. Back Rachel Robinson anchors the UVA defense and notched nine points off two goals and five assists a year ago.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams, with each having one a game. Penn State won the last contest, a 4-2 victory last season at Virginia on Aug 27, 2017.
Penn State will return to action next weekend, visiting Temple on Friday, Aug. 31, for a 6 p.m. contest. The Nittany Lions host two home games the following week, welcoming No. 10 Princeton on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. and Kent State on Friday, Sept. 7, at 4 p.m. A three-game week will conclude back at Temple where Penn State will face No. 3 Duke at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, in a neutral site battle.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
For gameday parking information, please check out the color graphic within the pdf posted online in every set of weekly game notes at GoPSU.com.
NOTES
TRIO OF NITTANY LIONS ON BIG TEN PRESEASON 'PLAYERS TO WATCH' LIST
A trio of Penn Staters are on the 2018 Big Ten Preseason 'Players to Watch' list. Seniors Gini Bramley, Colleen Conway and Jenny Rizzo are all included on the conference-compiled list to open the campaign. All three were named to the 2018 U.S. Developmental Team this summer and are coming off outstanding 2017 seasons for the Nittany Lions. Rizzo was a first team All-Region and second team All-Big Ten selection while Bramley and Conley were second team All-Region selections.
PENN STATE RANKED NO. 6 IN NFHCA POLL
Penn State will open up the season ranked No. 6 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Preseason Rankings. The Nittany Lions are one of six Big Ten teams peppered throughout the rankings, which includes Maryland at No. 4, Michigan at No. 5, No. 6 Penn State, No. 12 Northwestern, Iowa at No. 20 and No. 24 Ohio State. Connecticut begins the season ranked No. 1.
BTN AND LIONVISION HAVE HOME SLATE COVERED
Penn State's nine home games will be available for fans all over the world to see. Eight of Penn State's nine home contests (Virginia, Princeton, Kent State, Michigan, Michigan State, James Madison, Indiana and Bucknell) will be streamed live for free via Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com. Penn State's Oct. 7 battle with Maryland will air live on the Big Ten Network.
TEAMMATES VOTE RIZZO AND DEMBROWSKI TEAM CAPTAINS
Seniors Jenny Rizzo and Katie Dembrowski will serve as team captains for the 2018 season. The duo earned the honors in a vote by their teammates during preseason practices.