THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-0, 0-0 B1G) will visit Virginia (0-0) to open up the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29. The game is set for a 5 p.m. start in Charlottesville, Va.
The Nittany Lions are coming off an 8-9 season last year and went 2-6 in the Big Ten. Penn State returns a number of talented players from that squad and will look to replace its top two offensive threats. Senior Sophia Mannino is the leading returning scorer for Penn State, having tallied seven points off three goals and an assist last year. Elle Jennes had six points off two goals and an assist as well. Aby Deverka started the majority of the season for Penn State last year and returns for her sophomore season. Deverka had 68 saves and a .660 save percentage. Anouk Knuvers returns after missing last season due to an injury as well.
Virginia went 14-5 a year ago, 6-2 in the ACC, and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Cavaliers downed Penn State 2-1 in the season opener a year ago in Happy Valley. Penn State leads the all-time series with Virginia 21-10.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X and Instagram @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
NOTES
ALLY HAMMEL JOINS NITTANY LION COACHING STAFF
Former Boston University All-American and U.S. Olympian Ally Hammel has joined the Penn State coaching staff heading into the 2025 season. She played at Boston University from 2015 through 2018. Hammel was a two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-American, a two-time NFHCA Northeast Region Player of the Year and a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. She joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2019 and competed internationally ever since. During her time with Team USA, Hammel competed in the FIH Pro League, the 2022 Pan American Cup and represented the United States in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
NFHCA COACHES POLL
(8/25/25 - preseason)
Rk. Team
1 Northwestern
2 North Carolina
3 Virginia
4 Maryland
5 Duke
6 Harvard
7 Michigan
8 Boston College
9 St. Joseph’s
10 Princeton
11 UConn
12 Syracuse
13 Ohio State
14 UMass
15 Iowa
16 Rutgers
17 Liberty
18 UAlbany
18 Penn State
20 Wake Forest