UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; October 20, 2023 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (7-7, 2-4 B1G), ranked No. 16 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, dropped a tough 2-0 home game to No. 1 Northwestern (14-1, 6-0 B1G). The Wildcats scored once in the first and last periods to grab the Big Ten conference victory.
Nittany Lion goalie Brie Barraco stopped an early Northwestern fast break with good defense at the 13:05 mark. She then made a save on a close NU shot. The Wildcats picked up a corner, but Barraco made a save on the ensuing shot. Northwestern was able to keep the pressure on Penn State, picking up another quick corner. The Wildcats connected on the play with Lauren Wadas scoring at the 11:18 mark to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead. Penn State worked the ball downfield where Sophia Gladieux had a hard backhand knocked away by NU keeper Anabel Skubisz at the first period hit its midway point. Skubisz added another save on a tipped ball with 3:00 left in the period and another on an Ella Jennes backhand with :30 on the clock. Penn State trailed 1-0 after one.
Penn State put offensive pressure on Northwestern early in the second period, forcing a corner at the 14:10 mark. Gladieux got two shots off, with one being saved and another high. Penn State was called for a green card at the 12:04 mark and Northwestern picked up a quick corner. Barraco made a diving save on the ensuing shot as the clock moved to the 10:40 mark. A minute later, Penn State picked up another corner, but Northwestern was able to defend the play. Another Penn State green card gave the Wildcats a player advantage with 7:55 on the clock. Penn State killed the penalty but immediately gave up a yellow card for a 5:00 edge. Penn State was able to work the entire penalty off the clock and trailed 1-0 at the halftime break.
Penn State outshot Northwestern 6-4 in the first half but NU had a 3-2 edge in corners. Barraco had three saves for the Nittany Lions while Skubisz had four for the Wildcats.
The Nittany Lions blocked a quick Northwestern shot in the first minute of the third period. Penn State then forced a Wildcat turnover with 13:20 on the clock. The teams traded quick possessions over the next few minutes and the clock hit the 10:00 mark with NU still leading 1-0. Neither team threatened until Penn State had a brief push into the Wildcat circle at 8:30. The Lions were unable to connect, though, and Northwestern was back on offense. The clock hit 7:30 with Northwestern still leading by one. Northwestern had a shot sail wide at 4:15 and then Penn State forced a corner with 3:02 on the clock. The NU keeper made a save on Mackenzie Allessie's shot off the set. Skubisz made another save on a Natalie Freeman shot at 1:45 as well and the Nittany Lions trailed 1-0 heading into the final period.
Penn State began the fourth stanza by forcing a quick penalty corner at 14:29. Skubisz made a save on Jennes' shot off the set and Penn State got another corner but could not connect on the second play. Kelsey Love defended a quick Northwestern break to give Penn State a chance to drive downfield again with 13:30 left in the fourth. Anouk Knuvers drove the ball into the Lion circle with Penn State eventually forcing a corner at 12:07 but the Wildcat keeper made a save on the following shot. The clock moved through the 8:00 mark with the teams trading possession. Barraco made a kick save on a Wildcat shot at 6:45 to keep Penn State within striking distance. Northwestern was hit with a green card at 4:24. But the Wildcats were able to work the ball down to Penn State's side and forced a corner at 3:15. Wadas was able to score on the play, giving Northwestern a 2-0 lead with 3:08 to play. Penn State pulled its keeper to try and cut into the lead, but the Wildcats were able to kill the clock and post the 2-0 win.
"They're a good team and I thought we played well tonight," said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. "We possessed the ball well and we played good defense, but we didn't advantage of our opportunities. We had good offensive chances but could not finish."
Penn State outshot Northwestern 11-8 and had a 6-4 lead in corners. Barraco had four saves for the Nittany Lions and Skubisz had eight for the Wildcats.
Penn State is now 7-7 overall, 2-4 B1G. Northwestern moves to 14-1, 6-0 B1G. The Nittany Lions close out their home dates by hosting 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 0 0 0 0 0
Northwestern 1 0 0 1 2
STATS: PSU NU
Shots 11 8
Corners 6 4
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: NU – Lauren Waldes (Lauren Hunter, Alia Marshall)
4th: NU – Lauren Waldes (Peyton Halsey, Alia Marshall)
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 57:24 2 4
Team 2:36 0 0
NU: Annabel Skubisz 60:00 0 8