QUICK LINKS
Roster: Penn State // Virginia // American
Stats: Penn State // Virginia // American
THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-0, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 5 in the first NFHCA Coaches Poll, will open the 2023 season on the road. Penn State visits No. 6 Virginia (0-0) on Friday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. Two days later, Penn State visits American (0-0*) on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. *American hosts the Ohio Bobcats on Friday while Penn State is at Virginia.
The Nittany Lions are coming off a 17-4 season that saw the team win a share of the Big Ten Championship and advance to the NCAA national semifinals with a 2-1 run in the NCAA tournament. First year head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love will have the services of seven starters returning to this year's team, including leading scorers Sophia Gladieux and Mackenzie Allessie and keeper Brie Barraco.
Gladieux, reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, led Penn State with 49 points off 23 goals and three assists. Allessie had 42 points off 12 and 18. Both were All-Americans along with returning goalie Barraco. Barraco had 91 saves with a .791 save percentage and a 1.17 goals against average a year ago.
Virginia is coming off a 13-8 season a year ago, 3-3 in the ACC. The Cavaliers advanced to the NCAA tournament as year ago, dropping a tough opening round game to Iowa on a shoot-out. Penn State leads the all-time series with Virginia 21-8, including a 3-2 victory in last year's season opener in Happy Valley.
American went 9-7 a year ago, 4-2 in the Patriot League. The Eagles lead the all-time series with Penn State 2-1. The teams have not played since 2009 when AU beat Penn State 3-1 in a game played at the University of Maryland.
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.
THIS WEEK'S ACTION
#5 Penn State (0-0) at #6 Virginia (0-0)
Friday, August 25, 6 p.m.
Series History: Penn State leads 21-8
#5 Penn State (0-0) at American (0-0)
Sunday, August 27, 1 p.m.
Series History: American leads 2-1
NOTES
ALLESSIE, BARRACO, GANNON VOTED TEAM CAPTAINS
Seniors Mackenzie Allessie, Brie Barraco and Carly Gannon have been named team captains for the 2023 season. The tri-captains were voted on by their teammates.
ALLESSIE, BARRACO, GLADIEUX NAMED TO BIG TEN WATCH LIST
Seniors Mackenzie Allessie, Brie Barraco and Phia Gladieux have been named to the Big Ten Preseason Watch List.
PENN STATE SLATED FOR TWO NATIONAL TELECASTS ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK
The Penn State Nittany Lions will appear on two Big Ten Network national telecasts during the regular season. The games at Maryland on Oct. 1 (2 p.m.) and at Michigan on Oct. 15 (12 p.m.) have both been selected as national telecasts by the network.
