UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Sept. 1, 2023 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (1-2, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 5 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, dropped a tough double-overtime thriller at California (1-3) in a non-conference game played in Berkeley, Calif. Cal scored early in the second overtime to grab a 3-2 (2 OT) win.
California began the game getting off a quick shot a minute in that went wide of the Penn State cage and keeper Brie Barraco. Cal maintained possession and forced a penalty corner. Barraco made another quick save on a shot by Bente Baekers, but the Bears connected for a quick goal on the rebound when Kitty Baccanello found the back of the cage at the 12:14 mark. Penn State quickly answered, however, when Sophia Gladieux scored unassisted with 7:14 on the clock. Penn State worked hits way to a penalty corner with 3:56 left in the period. But Cal defended the effort, worked the ball down field and forced Barraco into a save. Barraco made another save on a shot off a corner from Bakers and the game moved to the second period tied 1-1.
Penn State opened up the second quarter with a quick corner, with Cal goalie Tina Jolly made a save on the ensuing Gladieux shot. Cal managed the lone shots over the next six minutes, with Barraco making a save on midway through the period. Cal forced a corner with 6:32 left in the period but the shot sailed wide. The teams traded possessions for the rest of the period and the game remained tied 1-1 heading into the halftime break.
California outshot Penn State 10-3 in the first half and had a 3-2 edge in corners. Barraco had five first half saves and Jolly had one for the Bears.
Five minutes into the third period, Penn State forced a penalty corner. The Lion shot off the set sailed wide right, and the game continued into the middle of the third period knotted 1-1. Neither team mounted a strong offensive threat on the cage over the final six minutes of the third period and that score held into the fourth period.
The Bears moved the ball down into the Penn State circle early in the fourth period with Daniella Rhodes taking a shot, forcing Barraco into another save to keep the game tied. Cal's second shot sailed wide seconds later. Penn State regained possession and worked the ball down field for a Gladieux shot, but Jolly was able to make the save with just under 10:00 to play. Cal took a 2-1 lead un an unassisted goal by Holly Pears with just over 5:00 to play but Gladieux answered right away, tying the game at 2-2 with an unassisted goal of her own. The teams played even for the remainder of the period and for the second time in three games, the Nittany Lions headed to overtime.
Nittany Lion Mackenzie Allessie nearly ended the game early in extra time for Penn State, getting off two shots in succession that Jolly made saves on with just under 7:00 left in overtime. California forced a penalty corner at 5:35. Barraco made a save on the shot off the set and the game continued tied 2-2. The teams traded shots late in the game. Gladieux had a shot blocked and Anouk Knuvers forced Jolly into a save. Barraco made a save on a Claire Hind shot in the final seconds and the game moved to a second overtime period.
California forced two corners in the opening minute with the second being blocked by the Nittany Lion defense. A third Cal corner led to another Penn State block, still just under 1:00 into the second overtime. The Bears kept the pressure on Penn State and Daniella Rhodes grabbed the win for Cal with a goal at the 6:39 mark in double overtime.
Penn State had 12 shots in the game while California had 19. The Nittany Lions managed four corners while the Bears had seven. Barraco had nine saves for Penn State and Jolly had five for California.
"We worked very hard and put ourselves in a position to win a tough rough game but came up short," said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. "Brie Barraco had a great game in goal for us, she played very well. Our press was much better offensively, and we did a nice job of cleaning up our passing. In overtime, we had a chance early, but Cal was able to grab the win with that goal early in the second overtime. I'm proud of how this team stays together and we will turn our attention to Stanford now."
Penn State is now 1-2, 0-0 B1G. California improves to 1-3. Penn State heads to Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 3, for a 3 p.m. Eastern game (12 p.m. local).
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X/Twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 OT OT FINAL
PENN STATE 1 0 0 1 0 0 2
California 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
STATS: PSU CAL
Shots 12 19
Corners 4 7
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: CAL – Kitty Baccanello (Cato Geugens); 12:14
1st: PSU – Phia Gladieux (unassisted); 7:14
4th: CAL – Holly Pears (Sophie Everett); 5:08
4th: CAL – Phia Gladieux (unassisted); 4:56
2OT: CAL – Daniella Rhodes (Sophie Everett); 6:39
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 73:41 3 9
CAL: Tina Jolly 73:41 2 5