UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 8, 2019 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (8-11) stunned top-seeded Maryland (16-3) in the Big Ten semifinals held at Penn State's Field Hockey Complex. The Lions rode a first period goal, outstanding defense and superb goalkeeping to post a 1-0 shutout victory. The win moves Penn State into Sunday's Big Ten Tournament title game set for 2 p.m. at the Field Hockey Complex.
The second semifinal game of the evening between second-seed Iowa and third-seed Northwestern was postponed due to icy field conditions. That semifinal game will be played Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Complex with the winner facing Penn State in Sunday's title tilt.
The teams traded possessions to start the contest with Maryland getting the first shot of the game two minutes in, a shot that was blocked high over the cage. The Terrapins kept the ball in the Lion circle and picked up their first penalty corner with 10:53 on the clock. Lion freshman Elena Vos (Grave, The Netherlands) made a defensive save on the first corner and the Lions blocked a quick second corner to keep the game tied as the clock moved under 10:00. Penn State moved the ball down to the Maryland circle. After two forays in front of the cage, junior Bree Bednarski (Wyoming, Pa.) knocked in a rebound off a Noelle Frost save to give the Lions and early 1-0 lead at the 7:36 mark, with Emma Spisak (Boiling Springs, Pa.) getting the assist. The Nittany Lion defense kept Maryland from any real threat over the last half of the period and carried that 1-0 lead into the second period.
Maryland took control of the first few minutes of the second half, working the ball into the Lion circle and getting a corner at 12:18, but Lion keeper Brie Barraco (Allentown, Pa.) had two good saves on two shots off the insert and the Lions kept the 1-0 lead as the clock moved to the 10:00 mark. The teams battled evenly as the clock moved to the 7:00 mark. Maryland had a shot to the left of the Lion goal slide wide and Penn State continued to lead by one. Maryland continued to press on offense, even being down a player after a green card late in the period. Madison Hutson (Gloucester Point, Va.) defended a deep Terrapin push and Penn State maintained its lead as the clock hit 3:00.
Maryland outshot Penn State 9-3 in the opening half and had the only corners of the opening 30:00 minutes. Barraco had four saves for Penn State while Frost had one for Maryland.
Penn State took the ball after a quick Maryland possession to start the third period and moved the ball into the Terrapin circle, setting up a corner with 13:34 on the clock. Frost made a save on the corner and Maryland took over. After pushing the ball downfield, the Terrapins forced a penalty corner of their own at the 12:54 mark. Barraco made an outstanding save on a close Terrapin shot to keep the Lions leading 1-0 as the clock hit the 11:40 mark. Abby Myers (Hartland, Wis.), dominating offensive control throughout the game, once again moved the ball into the Maryland circle, allowing the Lions to pick up another corner with 9:47 on the clock. The Lion shot went wide and Maryland went on a fast break that ended in a corner at 9:12. The Terrapin shot went wide. After a Penn State green card, Maryland was unable to create anything on the advantage and Penn State continued to lead as the clock hit 4:50. Penn State had a fast break at the end of the period thwarted by Frost and the Lions led by one after three periods.
Maryland stole the ball to start the fourth period and quickly moved the ball down to the Lion circle, setting up a penalty corner. But the corner was reversed on review and Penn State regained possession. The teams traded the ball for the next couple minutes with Maryland unable to break through Penn State's defensive pressure. Maryland appeared to tie the game when Madison Maguire knocked in a rebound shot at 7:29 but the official waved off the goal. The call was confirmed and the Lions continued to lead 1-0 with 7:29 left to play in the game. The Terrapins continued to pressure the Lion defense and picked up a penalty corner at 6:56. Maryland picked up a penalty corner with 2:56 to play. Again, Maryland appeared to tie the game but the goal was waved off and action moved to the 2:30 mark with Penn State still up by one. Maryland pulled its goalie but the Lion defense held firm and Penn State posted the thrilling 2-1 win over the second ranked Terrapins.
Barraco once shone in goal for the Nittany Lions. A night after shining in Penn State's 2-1 win over Michigan, Barraco and the Lion defense withstood 15 Maryland shots. Barraco had nine saves in picking up her second career shutout. The Nittany Lions had seven shots with Maryland's Frost collecting four saves. The Terrapins had an 8-2 edge in penalty corners.
"We talked about being organized and aggressive," said head coach Char Morett-Curtiss. "We did a really good job of shifting on defense and I think that had an effect on them. Bree Barraco was so good again and our defense was strong as well. The way this team has continued to fight in this tournament and show so much heart has been outstanding."
The Nittany Lions improved to 8-11 with the win while Maryland falls to 16-3. The second semifinal contest on Friday was postponed due to icy field conditions and will be played tomorrow, Saturday, at 11 a.m. Penn State will play on Sunday in the championship game at 2 p.m. at the Field Hockey Complex. Sunday's game airs on the BTN.
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
PENN STATE 1 0 0 0 1
Maryland 0 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU MD
Shots 7 15
Corners 2 8
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Bree Bednarski (Emma Spisak), 7:36
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 0 9
MD: Noelle Frost 57:33 1 4
Team 2:27 0 0
