UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-4, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 17 nationally, lost a hard-fought game to Old Dominion (3-1) in the team's home opener Friday. The Monarchs broke open a tie with a fourth period goal to post the 2-1 win.
Penn State had two early chances to get on the scoreboard but Old Dominion keeper Cam MacGillivray notched the game's first save two minutes in to keep the game tied 0-0. Penn State kept the pressure on the Monarch defense, picking up its first penalty corner at the 5:00 mark, but the Lion shot was wide. Old Dominion had its first shot saved by Lion goalie Brie Barraco (Allentown, Pa.) at the 2:40 mark. The Lions got hit with a green card late in the period, giving ODU an advantage as the period wound down. Penn State's defense held firm and the period ended in a 0-0 tie.
The Nittany Lion took the advantage early in the second after an Old Dominion green card but could not take advantage. ODU picked up their first penalty corner at the 11:21 mark and made it count. Erin Huffman scored off assists from Riley Taylor and Marlee McClendon to give Old Dominion the 1-0 lead at the 11:12 mark. Penn State answered with a corner of its own but could not connect and the Monarchs held the 1-0 lead as the period hit the 5:30 mark. Penn State tied the game at the 2:03 mark when Alexis Horst (Port Trevorton, Pa.) took an Aubrey Mytych (Wyoming, Pa.) pass and scored. The 1-1 tie held to intermission.
Penn State outshot ODU 8-2 in the first half but MacGillivray kept the Monarchs tied with three saves. Barraco had one for Penn State. Both teams had two penalty corners.
The teams traded possession for the first part of the third period with neither squad mounting a serious offensive threat. Penn State's defense and junior Madison Hutson (Gloucester Point, Va.) kept Old Dominion out the Lion circle despite ODU owning possession for the middle minutes of the third period. Penn State looked to score after an ODU five minute penalty at the 5:50 mark. Penn State picked up a corner at the 2:12 mark and MacGillivray had another save to keep the game tied.
Penn State opened up the fourth period keeping the ball in front of the ODU cage. The Lions reeled off three corners in the first two minutes but the Monarch defense held fast and the game oved to the 12:00 mark tied 1-1. Old Dominion moved the ball down to the Penn State side of the field and set up a penalty corner with 10:31 on the clock. The Monarchs did not connect on the corner but maintained possession and Rebecca Birch put ODU up 2-1 with a solo goal at the 9:50 mark. Penn State went on the offensive, looking to tie the game but Old Dominion was able to hold Penn State off as the clock moved towards the 6:00 mark. Old Dominion had two corners that the Lion defense fought off as the clock moved to 3:30. Old Dominion was able to kill the final three-plus to grab the win.
"While we played hard, we have to be better inside 25," said Morett-Curtiss. "We had a lot of shots, that's great, but we need to be on goal more. We have to put the opposing goalie under more pressure."
The Nittany Lions outshot Old Dominion 14-6 and had six corner to ODU's four. Barraco had two saves in the game while MacGillivray had six for the Monarchs.
The Nittany Lions are now 0-4 while Old Dominion improves to 3-1. Penn State treks to No. 5 Princeton on Sunday, Sept. 15, for a 12 p.m. game. The Lions' next home game is on Sunday, Sept. 29, when they host Villanova at 12 p.m.
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.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
#17 PENN STATE (0-4) 0 1 0 0 1
Old Dominion (3-1) 0 1 0 1 2
STATS: PSU ODU
Shots 14 6
Corners 6 4
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) -- TIME
1st: ODU: Erin Huffman (Marlee McClendon, Riley Taylor); 18:48
2nd: PSU: Alexis Horst (Aubrey Mytych); 27:57
4th: ODU: Rebecca Birth (unassisted): 9:50
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 2 2
ODU: Cam MacGillivray 60:00 1 6
