UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (10-2, 5-1 B1G), ranked No. 5 in the NFHCA Coaches Poll, beat No. 4 Iowa (9-3, 3-2 B1G) 2-1 in an overtime thriller at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. Senior Anna Simon assisted junior Sophia Gladieux for the game winner in extra time.
Penn State withstood a quick Iowa burst to start the game and then settled into what was a dominant first half of defense. The Hawkeyes notched the game's first penalty corner at the 8:42 mark in the opening period but Lokke Stribos' shot was saved by Lion goalie Brie Barraco. Penn State won the ball possession game throughout the opening period and took a lead at the 6:08 mark when Simon connected unassisted from just inside the circle, drilling the ball past Iowa goalie Grace McGuire. The goal was the lone score in the opening half.
The Nittany Lion defense stood tall in the second period. Penn State kept Iowa's offense from getting on track, limiting the time the Hawkeyes could penetrate the Penn State circle and keeping pressure on the Iowa midfield. Penn State forced its first penalty corner of the game with 3:34 left in the half. Simon's shot off the set was high, but the Nittany Lion offense continued to set the tone for the entire period. Simon pressed the Hawkeye cage late in the half and nearly scored again, but McGuire made a nice save and Penn State settled for a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Penn State's defense was outstanding in the first half, holding Iowa to just one shot. The Lions had four. Each team had one penalty corner. Iowa's McGuire had one save and Lion goalie Barraco had one as well.
The third period began with Penn State pressuring Iowa's defense. The Nittany Lions ripped off three shots on goal in the opening four minutes, two coming off Mackenzie Allessie penalty corners. But McGuire was able to swat away shots from Jemma Punch and Gladieux to keep the Lions from extending their lead. Penn State withstood a green card midway through the third period, but the Hawkeye offense began to get on track, getting off two shots that Barraco was able to control. Penn State led 1-0 after three periods.
The fourth period was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to control the action completely. Penn State's Grace Wallis and Iowa's Jacey Wittel each had early shots but neither connected and Penn State held its 1-0 lead well into the fourth stanza. Iowa picked up a penalty corner at the 5:40 mark and connected on the ensuing play. Annika Herbine and Lieve Schalk assisted on Anthe Nijziel's game-tying goal with 5:55 left to play. The goal tied the game at 1-1. Penn State had a late chance to win in regulation when Gladieux had a shot blocked off a corner set with :54 left to play in the game. With the score tied 1-1, the game moved into a first 10:00, seven-on-seven overtime period.
Penn State took control of the overtime period and ended the game quickly. Moving the ball down the right side into the Iowa zone, Simon drove the ball towards and into the Iowa circle and fed Gladieux with a beautiful crossing pass towards the front of the cage. Gladieux made one quick moved and drilled the ball past McGuire for the game-winner just 1:22 into overtime, giving the Nittany Lions a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory.
"I thought we played with a lot of energy for the entire game and were so solid on defense," said head coach Char Morett-Curtiss. "The girls knew this was a big game and they were up for it. I am very proud of how we responded to the late goal and proud of the way this team prepared all week long."
Penn State outshot Iowa 12-5 and had a slim 4-3 edge in corners. Barraco ended the game with four saves for Penn State while McGuire had five for the Hawkeyes.
Penn State is now 10-2, 5-1 in the Big Ten, while Iowa falls to 9-3, 3-2 B1G. Penn State hosts Lafayette on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 1:30 p.m. Iowa will face James Madison on Sunday at 11 a.m. in a neutral site non-conference game as well. Following Penn State's game with Lafayette, there will be a special 'groundbreaking' ceremony to honor the on-going enhancements and improvements to the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
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 OT FINAL
PENN STATE 1 0 0 0 1 2
Iowa 0 0 0 1 0 1
STATS: PSU IU
Shots 12 5
Corners 4 3
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Anna Simon (unassisted); 6:08
4th: IOWA – Anthe Nijziel (Lieve Schalk, Annika Herbine); 5:55
OT: PSU – Sophia Gladieux (Anna Simon); 8:38
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 61:22 1 4
IOWA: Grace McGuire 61:22 2 5