UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; October 15, 2023 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (7-6, 2-3 B1G), ranked No. 15 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, lost a hard fought 2-1 game at No. 16 Michigan (7-7, 2-5 B1G) on Sunday in Ann Arbor. Goalie Brie Barraco tallied a career high 12 saves in the game but Michigan was able to score the game's last two goals to grab the close win.
Michigan came out hot on offense, forcing Penn State goalie Brie Barraco into two saves in the first :45 seconds of the game. The Wolverines then pushed the ball towards the Lion cage and picked up the game's first penalty corner at 13:59. The Wolverine's direct shot off the play found the cage but was too high and the game continued tied 0-0. Mackenzie Allessie was able to move the ball into the Wolverine circle a minute later and pick up a penalty corner for Penn State. Sophia Gladieux's forehand off the corner was blocked by the Michigan defense. Penn State took a 1-0 lead when Gladieux took an Allessie pass, dribbled left and launched a backhand past Michigan keeper Caylie McMahon with 9:21 on the clock. A minute later Barraco made a great save on a tight Michigan shot as the first period hit its midway point. Michigan forced a corner at 6:24 and Barraco came up big twice, on the first shot as well as on the rebound, to keep Penn State up 1-0. The Wolverines forced another corner at 3:21 and Barraco was once again too much, stopping the shot. Michigan was given another corner right away but once again Barraco and the Penn State defense were up to the task. Allessie had a late shot blocked over the Wolverine cage and Penn State, led by six saves from Barraco in the first period, led 1-0 heading to the second stanza.
Penn State's defense was tested early in the second period but Anouk Knuvers, Kesley Love and Gery Schnarrs kept the ball away from the Nittany Lion cage as the clock hit 12:00. But the Wolverine's pressure paid off shortly afterwards, with Isabella Palde tipping in a pass from Kate McLaughlin to tie the game up with 10:58 on the clock. With the game tied 1-1, Penn State worked the ball down to the Wolverine side of the field, but Michigan forced a turnover. Lion defender Aubrey Semler forced a turnover on the other end of the field and the second period hit its midway point with the teams tied 1-1. Barraco made another save at the 5:45 mark after a quick Wolverine fast break. Julia Lamb and Schnarrs defended the right side of the Lion circle as the clock moved to 4:00 but Michigan continued to press the ball towards Barraco. The Wolverines picked up a corner at 4:05 and Knuvers made a great defensive save to keep the game tied. Michigan gave up a green card at 1:30, giving Penn State a player edge for the remainder of the half. Michigan was able to work the ball down to the Lion circle as the clock wound down and the game hit the halftime break tied 1-1.
Michigan outshot Penn State 12-4 and had a 5-1 edge in corners. Barraco was superb with eight saves in the first half while Michigan's McMahon had none.
After a quick Penn State push early in the third period, Michigan worked the ball down to the Penn State side of the field. The bulk of the action through the 11:00 mark was battled on Penn State's side and Michigan was able to take advantage of it. McLaughlin took a pass from Rosie Hope to nail a backhand and give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead with 10:32 on the clock. Michigan was given a green card as action resumed, giving Penn State a player advantage. But the Wolverines gained control of the ball and worked it into the Penn State circle. Love pushed the ball away on the first fast break, but Michigan kept control of possession. Allessie intercepted a pass at 7:45 after the card expired. Michigan had a point-blank chance at 5:15 but Barraco forced the shot wide to keep the game close. Ella Jennes worked the ball away from the Michigan offense at the 2:00 mark but Michigan regained the ball with 1:30 on the clock. Gladieux forced a turnover in the final minute and Penn State trailed 2-1 after three.
The teams traded early possessions to start the fourth period until Michigan was able to press the Lion cage at 12:30. Barraco kicked away a Wolverine pass to give the ball back to Penn State, but Michigan quickly took the ball back. Knuvers blocked a Michigan shot over the Penn State cage at 11:15 to keep Penn State within one. A Michigan green card gave the Nittany Lions a player advantage, but Michigan killed the first minute of the penalty and then moved the ball into the Penn State circle. Schnarrs defended a Michigan press, but the Wolverines deftly killed the penalty, and the teams were at even strength once again. As the clock moved below the 9:00 mark, Michigan pressured the Nittany Lion circle. The Lion defense was able to hold off Michigan through the midway point. Barraco then made a series of scrambling saves during a furious flurry at 6:45 to keep the Lions within striking distance. Penn State got called for a yellow card at 5:08 and then Michigan picked up a corner seconds later. The shot off the set was high and Penn State got the free hit at 4:20. A player down, Barraco made another superb save on a Michigan fast break seconds later and the score remained 2-1 in UM's favor. Another Barraco save, then another, kept Penn State close as the clock moved below 3:00 but the Wolverines retained possession leading by one. Michigan worked the clock down to the 1:30 mark. The Nittany Lions worked furiously to try and get the ball back for a late push and with :40 Gladieux grabbed the ball. The Lion senior moved the ball towards the Michigan circle and forced a yellow card on Michigan with :17 left. Penn State then forced a penalty corner with :11 left in the game. Allessie had a late shot on goal, but McMahon made her first save of the game in the final seconds to send Penn State to the tough 2-1 loss.
"Brie Barraco was incredible today and she kept us in the game," said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. "She was just dialed in and gave us a chance to win the game in the face of Michigan's pressure. I thought overall we fought hard, but we have to be smarter in key situations. I thought we lost our composure a bit in the third period. But this conference is so tough, and the nice thing is, we can learn from this and turn the page towards two tough home games this weekend."
Michigan outshot Penn State 23-5 and had a 6-2 edge in corners. Barraco had a career-best 12 saves to keep Penn State close and McMahon had one for Michigan, in the game's final seconds.
Penn State is now 7-6 overall, 2-3 B1G. Michigan improved to 7-7, 2-5 B1G. The Nittany Lions host two critical Big Ten games next weekend in Happy Valley. Penn State welcomes Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. and Iowa on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 12 p.m.
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 FINAL
PENN STATE 1 0 0 0 1
Michigan 0 1 1 0 2
STATS: PSU MICH
Shots 5 23
Corners 2 6
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Phia Gladieux (unassisted); 9:21
2nd: MICH – Isabella Palde (Kate McLaughlin); 10:58
3rd: MICH – Kate McLaughlin (Rosie Hope); 10:32
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 2 12
MICH: Caylie McMahon 60:00 1 1