UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (6-4, 1-1 B1G), ranked No. 17 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, dropped a hard-fought 1-0 game at No. 10 Iowa (6-3, 1-2 B1G) in Big Ten field hockey action on Friday. Iowa scored early in the contest and Penn State was shutout for the first time this season.
Penn State made an early foray into the Hawkeye zone a minute into the game, but Iowa was able to push the Nittany Lions back and regain possession. The teams battled evenly thorough the 10:00 mark when Ella Jennes moved deep into the Iowa circle, nearly forcing the ball through Iowa goalie Mia Magnotta before an Iowa defender tipped the ball away and out of danger. Iowa launched the first shot of the game when Dionne van Aalsum took a close shot that freshman keeper Aby Deverka made a kick save on. But Iowa was awarded a penalty corner on the play with just under 7:00 on the clock. The Hawkeyes then connected on the corner, with van Aalsum scoring off an Annika Herbine assist.at 6:12. Nittany Lion Phia Gladieux nearly tied the game at 2:45, collecting the ball on a break down the center of the field. But the Hawkeye defense collapsed in on the senior and kept her from scoring. Deverka made a late save to end the first half and Penn State trailed 1-0 after the opening period.
The teams battled evenly through the 11:00 mark before Iowa was able to establish possession in the Nittany Lion zone. Iowa’s had a shot that was taken just outside the circle, Penn State then returned the ball down to the Iowa circle and Gladieux had a backhand blocked at 10:02, keeping the score at 1-0 in Iowa’s favor. Gladieux had another shot at 8:20, with Magnotta making the save to keep Penn State off the board. Penn State kept the offensive pressure on the Hawkeye defense through the 7:00 mark but Iowa held off the Lions. Gladieux dribbled towards the Iowa cage at 5:30, forcing Magnotta into a save. Morgan McMenamin’s shot off the rebound was blocked and Iowa regained possession with 4:45 left in the half. Iowa worked the ball into the Lion circle and picked up a penalty corner at 2:52. The Lion defense held firm on the play and the score remained 1-0. Julienne van Bekkum had a late shot saved by Magnotta and Penn State trailed 1-0 at the break.
Both teams had five shots in the first half. Iowa had two corners to Penn State’s none while Deverka had two saves for the Lions and Magnotta had three of the Hawkeyes.
Iowa’s Annika Herbine had an early shot to start the second half the Madison Tambroni blocked before it got to Deverka and the cage. The two teams battled evenly after that, working the clock down to the 10:00 mark, primarily with back-and-forth play in the midfield. Penn State moved into the Iowa circle at 8:30 and Natlie Freeman launched a shot at the cage that went just high. Penn State kept pressure on Iowa through the 7:00 mark, looking for a tying goal. Iowa was able to work the ball into the Lion circle at 5:20 and Tambroni once again cleared a deep threat out of the way. Penn State got hit with a green card at the 4:32 mark. Iowa turned the player advantage into a penalty corner with 3:29 on the clock. Iowa’s shot off the play was saved by Deverka to keep Penn State close with a 1-0 deficit. Penn State was able to kill the penalty and then worked the ball downfield into the Hawkeye zone at 1:05. The Iowa defense held, and Penn State trailed 1-0 after three periods.
Penn State forced its first penalty of the game early in the fourth period and Iowa keeper Magnotta made a diving save on a hard shot from Gladieux. The Nittany Lions continued to pressure Iowa’s defense through the 12:00 mark but the Hawkeyes regained the ball at 11:40. But the Lions stole the ball, worked it downfield and nabbed its second corner of the game with 10:45 on the clock. But the Lions could not connect on the set off the corner and Iowa maintained its one goal lead. Gladieux continued to pressure Magnotta with shots as a backhand was blocked high at 9:57. Iowa nearly doubled its lead with 9:30 left in the game but its shot sailed wide. Gladieux finished off a fast break with a hard shot at Magnotta with the Hawkeye once again making the save with 8:50 to play. Gladieux danced around the Iowa defense with 5:00 to go once again, with another shot blocked high. Iowa worked the ball into the Penn State zone as the clock ticked below 3:00. Penn State moved down into the Iowa zone late in the game, with Gladieux working in for a shot at 1:15. Magnotta made a save on the play, but Penn State was awarded a penalty corner. Gladieux’s shot off the inbound pass missed just wide, and Iowa maintained its one goal lead. Penn State pulled Deverka at 1:07. Iowa’s van Aalsum missed an empty net shot just wide with :30 left but the effort effectively killed the clock, allowing Iowa to escape with a 1-0 win.
Penn State outshot Iowa 11-8 over the course of the game. But Magnotta’s six saves kept the Nittany Lions off the board as Penn State was shut out for the first time this season. Deverka had three saves for the Nittany Lions. Each team had three penalty corners.
Penn State is now 6-4, 1-1 B1G. Iowa improves to 6-3, 1-2 B1G. Penn State is at No. 2 Northwestern on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
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 0 0 0
Iowa 1 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU IOWA
Shots 11 8
Corners 3 3
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: IOWA – Dionne van Aalsum (Annika Herbine); 6:12
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Aby Deverka 58:53 1 3
Team 1:07 0 0
IOWA: Mia Magnotta 60:00 0 6