UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Oct. 16, 2022 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (13-2, 5-1 B1G), ranked No. 4 in the NFHCA Coaches Poll, rolled to a 3-0 win at Kent State (6-7) in a non-conference field hockey game. Brie Barraco collected five saves as Penn State posted its second straight road shutout win of the weekend.
Penn State pressured the Flash early, picking up a penalty corner just :40 into the game, and another at the 1:00 mark. But both shots were blocked. Penn State continued to work its offense, however, and took a 1-0 lead when Sophia Gladieux scored with an assist from Mackenzie Allessie, giving the Nittany Lions an early lead at the 12:50 mark. Kent State managed its first shot with 9:50 on the clock but Brie Barraco made a save on Agustina Florio's shot. Kent State was able to keep Penn State from adding to its lead as the clock moved below the 2:00 mark with keeper Cecile Van Eijck making a number of saves as Penn State kept the ball in the Kent State circle for much of the period. The Nittany Lions led 1-0 after the first 15:00 of play.
The Nittany Lions doubled their lead early in the second period, forcing a penalty corner less than 2:00 into the stanza. Anna Simon connected on the offensive set, putting Penn State up 2-0 off an assist from Elena Vos at the 13:25 mark. Penn State controlled the midfield once again in the second and kept constant pressure on Kent State's defense. The Flash defense kept Penn State from getting off any shots and worked the clock down below the 4:00 mark. Kent State was able to move the ball down into the Penn State circle late in in the half and forced Brie Barraco into two quick saves before being awarded a penalty corner with 1:47 on the clock. Barraco made a stellar save on the Soler Cambra shot off the set to keep KSU off the scoreboard.
Penn State outshot Kent State 16-4 in the first half and had a 4-2 edge in corners. Barraco had four saves while Van Eijck had eight to keep the Flash in the game.
Allessie and Gladieux each had shots early in the third period, but Van Eijck made saves on both, preventing Penn State from increasing its lead. Kent State got hit with a green card midway through the period but was able to withstand the player disadvantage. Nittany Lion Jemma Punch had a shot knocked away by Van Eijck with just under 5:00 left in the third. Kent State then forced a penalty corner with 2:50 left in the period but the Lion defense blocked the shot and maintained its two-goal lead into the fourth quarter.
Kent State's Florio had a shot 2:00 into the fourth quarter, trying to cut Penn State's lead in half. But Barraco once again came up with a save to keep the Flash scoreless on the game. Penn State took possession after the save and forced a penalty corner at the 10:33 mark. The Nittany Lions connected on the corner, with Gladieux scoring with assists from Allessie and Vos with 10:27 left in the game, giving PSU a 3-0 lead. The next five minutes were evenly contested with neither team mustering a shot on goal. Penn State's defense withstood any Kent State charge as the game clock moved to zeroes and the Nittany Lions rolled out of Ohio with a dominant 3-0 shutout victory.
"We had some great opportunities early that we didn't take advantage of and that let Kent State hand around in the game," said head coach Char Morett-Curtiss. "Their goalie played an exceptional game, but we were consistent and able to break through for enough offense to win. We went on the road for two games this weekend and are coming home with two wins, that's important and I'm very pleased with it. Now we can get home, get focused and get ready for a big game with Maryland Friday night on our field."
Penn State outshot Kent State 21-7 in the game and had a 6-4 edge in penalty corners. Barraco had five saves for the shutout win while Van Eijck had ten for Kent State.
Penn State is now 13-2 overall, 5-1 in the Big Ten, while Kent State falls to 6-7. The Nittany Lions will host Maryland in their home finale next Friday night, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. The game at the FH Complex will also serve as Senior Night for Penn State.
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 1 0 1 3
Kent State 0 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU KSU
Shots 27 7
Corners 6 4
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Sophia Gladieux (Mackenzie Allessie); 12:50
2nd: PSU – Anna Simon (Elena Vos); 13:25
4th: PSU – Sophia Gladieux (Mackenzie Allessie, Elena Vos); 10:27
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 0 5
KSU: Cecile Van Eijck 60:00 3 10