THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-0, 0-0 B1G), under the direction of head coach Char Morett-Curtiss, will begin the 2022 season at home, hosting two national powers on the season's opening weekend. No. 11 Penn State hosts No. 12 Virginia (0-0) on Friday, Aug, 26, at 5 p.m. and No. 9 Louisville on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 12 p.m. Louisville will play Bucknell on the Nittany Lions' turf Friday night at 7:30 p.m. as well.
Penn State is coming off a 14-6 season that saw the team post a 6-2 mark in Big Ten games. The Lions earned a slot in the 2021 NCAA Tournament field but dropped an opening round game. This year's team returns all but a few players from that talented squad, including two first-team All-Americans, a number of All-Region players and nearly 10 athletes with starting experience.
Senior Mackenzie Allessie and junior Sophia Gladieux both return after being tabbed first team All-Americans, All-Region and All-Big Ten last year. Gladieux was the Regional Player of the Year as well. Gladieux led Penn State with 38 points off 18 goals and two assists last season while Allessie checked in with 30 off nine and 12.
Anna Simon returns for another year after earning All-Region honors in 2021 after a 33 points season (14 and 5). Senior keeper Brie Barraco, also an All-Region selection, returns after a 90 save season and senior Elena Vos, All-Region on defense, is back as well.
Virginia is coming off a 12-9 record, 3-3 in the ACC. The Cavaliers also advanced to the NCAA tournament a year ago, dropping a first round game as well. Penn State leads the all-time series 20-8, including a 3-2 overtime victory in the season opener last year.
Louisville, which plays Bucknell on Penn State's field Friday night, went 16-4 a year ago and posted a perfect 6-0 mark in the ACC to win the regular season title. The Cardinals, like Penn State and Virginia, was an NCAA tourney team a year ago and also dropped a tough first round contest. Louisville leads the all-time series 1-0.
Fans are reminded to bring their own seating for games at the Complex this year as ongoing enhancement construction has made the bleacher seating unavailable.
The Nittany Lions trek to Albany, N.Y., net weekend to take on the University at Albany next Saturday, Sept. 3, at 1 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.
