UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-1, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 16 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, dropped a tough 2-1 game to No. 3 Virginia (1-0) in the season opener for both teams. The Nittany Lions rallied late against the third-ranked Cavaliers but fell short at home.
The teams traded early possessions to start the game, with the clock moving down towards the 12:00 mark. The Nittany Lions pushed the ball into the Virginia. The Cavaliers forced a turnover and moved the ball down field quickly, turning the fast break into the game’s first goal. Sloan Davidson took a quick pass from Noa Boterman and gave Virginia a 1-0 lead at 10:33. True freshman goalie Aby Deverka, getting the start in her first collegiate game, picked up her first save, knocking back a close shot from Virginia’s Suze Leemans at 6:10. The Penn State defense, led by Gery Schnarrs and Julienne van Bekkum, withstood late pressure from Virginia, Deverka notched another save and the Lions withstood a late corner to keep the score at 1-0 Virginia after the opening period.
Penn State worked the ball into the Virginia circle early in the second period, with Katelyn Strawser pushing the ball to the right side and feeding the top of the circle. The Cavaliers were able to withstand the early pressure and retook possession. Deverka made a diving save on a subsequent Virginia shot and another hit the post at 11:15 as the Cavaliers pressured the Penn State defense. Senior Phia Gladieux started a fast break that led to a deep Penn State push at the 8:20 mark. The Nittany Lions were forced into a turnover and Virginia forced a penalty corner at 7:24. Deverka made a save on the play and a second Cav shot sailed high at 6:40. Morgan McMenamin stopped a Cavalier push with 6:00 as Penn State worked to regain possession, trailing 1-0. Gladieux raced down the middle of the field on a solo drive at 2:45, nearly working the ball to the Cavalier cage. But the Virginia defense was able to collapse towards the goal and stifle Gladieux’s efforts late and the Nittany Lions trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Virginia outshot Penn State 13-0 in the first half and had a 2-0 edge in corners. Deverka had 5 saves for Penn State in the first half.
Penn State had an early chance to start the third period, working the ball deep into the Cavalier circle. But once again, the Virginia defense held. Deverka made an early save after a quick Virginia fast break and another Cav shot hit the post again as the clock moved towards the 11:00 mark. True freshman Morgan Snyder and the Penn State defense continued to hold back a fierce Virginia attack, keeping the game close through the 9:00 mark and a handful of penalty corners. Ella Jennes forced a turnover at the 7:30 mark. Aubrey Semler briefly worked the ball into the Virginia zone, but the Cavs regained possession. Still trailing by only goal, Penn State battled to tie the game. Gladieux took a pass deep in the Cav circle and forced Penn State’s first penalty corner of the game at the 2:36 mark. The Nittany Lions came alive, forcing four penalty corners in less than a minute. Gladieux connected on the fourth, taking the incoming pass from van Bekkum and tying the game at 1-1 with 2:12 left in the period.
Jennes forced an early Virginia turnover in the fourth period as an invigorated Lion squad looked to keep momentum. Penn State pushed the ball into the Virginia zone. Madison Tambroni and Snyder worked the ball across field, but Virginia was able to regain possession and reset on offense. Deverka made a great glove save on a Virginia shot and then the Cavaliers were hit with a green card at 10:27, giving the Lions a player advantage. Virginia killed the advantage and Tambroni forced a turnover deep in the Lion circle at 7:45 to keep the game tied. Virginia began to pressure the Penn State defense once again but the Lions held. Gladieux, Drew Taylor and the Lion offense worked the ball into the Cav circle at the 4:00 mark but Virginia’s defense held. Virginia killed off another green card and then forced a penalty corner with 3:03 on the clock. Deverka made a save on the first shot off the corner, but Virginia’s Carline Nemec knocked in a long shot off the rebound to give the Cavalier’s a 2-1 lead at 2:52. Penn State moved the ball into the Cavalier circle as time wound down, forcing a late penalty corner with :17 left to play. Gladieux’s late shot was blocked by the Cavaliers and Penn State’s second half rally fell just short.
“We’re really proud of the way we played in the second half,” said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. “We did a great job of being more aggressive and gritty, winning the 50/50 balls and playing much better defense. The big takeaway for us is a staff is that these girls really made the adjustments at halftime that we talked about and played an exceptional second half.”
Virginia outshot Penn State 24-6, with all of Penn State’s shots coming in the second half. Deverka ended the game with 11 saves while Virginia’s Tyler Kennedy had none. Each team had five penalty corners.
Penn State is now 0-1, 0-0 B1G. Virginia is 1-0. The Nittany Lions continue their season-opening homestand on Sunday, hosting No. 10 Syracuse 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 and IG @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
PENN STATE 0 0 1 0 1
Virginia 1 0 0 1 2
STATS: PSU VA
Shots 6 24
Corners 5 5
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: UVA – Sloan Davidson (Noa Boterman); 10:33
3rd: PSU – Phia Gladieux (Julienne van Bekkum); 2:12
4th: UVA – Caroline Nemec (unassisted); 2:52
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Aby Deverka 60:00 2 11
VA: Tyler Kennedy 60:00 1 0