UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Throughout the past few weeks the Big Ten Network has aired a handful of the most memorable Penn State field hockey games in recent history, and the last one at 9 p.m. tonight is certainly nothing short of that. In 2016 the Nittany Lions went head-to-head with No.1 Maryland in College Park for the Big Ten Championship. Confidence was running high as Penn State was coming off a big win in the previous round of the tournament that weekend over No. 3 Michigan.
Penn State took home the title of Big Ten champions that day in a hard-fought battle ending in a 2-1 score. Going into the tournament others may have thought this 2016 team was too young and not experienced enough in high intensity games, however that proved to not be the case. Head coach Charlene Morett-Curtiss praised the development of her team that year shown in the tournament.
"To see the growth from this team not only in their skills, but in their maturity and confidence on the field...it was really a big leap for this team," Morett-Curtiss said.
Not only was winning the championship such an accomplishment for Morett-Curtiss, it was also even more special because it was her 500th career victory at Penn State. The Big Ten conference for field hockey has always been, and still is, a very competitive atmosphere. There was additional fuel added to that fire for this game. Aside from the rivalry, there is a unique familiarity with the opponents. Both teams had transfers from the opposing school. Sarah Bates had transferred from Penn State to Maryland and the Terrapins' 2014 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Moria Putsch, was now a part of the Nittany Lions.
Some of the Penn State players from the 2016 season are excited to rewatch this game and relive the glory that came from this championship. Carly Celkos remembers her time as captain of this championship team along with some of her fellow teammates Jenny Rizzo and Colleen Conway.
"Beating Maryland for the Big Ten title on their home turf was one of the most memorable moments of my field hockey career. I feel honored that I was given that opportunity to lead such an amazing group of young women. The bond that the 2016 team had during that season was one of the driving factors for our success. We weren't just teammates; we were friends on and off the field," Celkos said.
"One word: insanity. Pick any five-minute segment in the game and you'll understand why it was the most-watched Big Ten field hockey game ever. I get chills even thinking back — I've never been a part of a team with so much determination, focus, and effort towards a single goal — from Char, to the starters, right through to the bench and support staff. In my career, I have never been a part of a more exciting game," Conway said.
The team was playing for more than just a title that tournament. With their coach nearing a historic moment, the team was motivated to string together those wins.
"The fact it was Char's 500th win really was the cherry on top. We knew going into the tournament that if we won out Char would get to 500 and I think that pushed us even harder in our desire to win. We were so excited to have been able to get Char to 500 and bring home the trophy all at once. I'm really excited to watch this one back and relive the excitement of this day," Rizzo said.
The young Penn State team matured and continued their dedication with the experience they had that weekend, as they earned their way back to the Big Ten Championship game the following year.