Penn State Field Hockey Falls at Virginia in Season Opener
Nittany Lions open up home slate next Friday, hosting Delaware at 5 p.m. in Happy Valley
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; August 29, 2025 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-1, 0-0 B1G) lost a tough non-conference game at No. 3 Virginia (1-0) in the 2025 season opener for both teams. The Nittany Lions lost 5-1 to the homestanding Cavaliers after trailing 2-1 at the half.
Virginia controlled action early in the game, pressuring the Penn State zone in the first five minutes. Penn State’s defense, anchored by sophomore goalie Aby Deverka, successfully defending an early penalty corner to keep the game scoreless. Katelyn Strawser and Aubrey Semler worked the ball into the Virginia circle with just under 10:00 to play, pressuring the Cav cage for the first time. Semler rocketed a hard shot from the right side at the Cavalier keeper minutes later and Penn State picked up its first penalty corner shortly thereafter. The Nittany Lion shot off the set slipped wide left with just over 7:00 left in the period. Virginia returned the ball to Penn State’s side of the field and took a 1-0 lead when Sloan Davidson scored off a penalty corner with just under 4:00 on the clock. The Cavaliers added a second goal off a corner with 1:36 on the clock with Caroline Raynes finding the back of the cage to give the home team a 2-0 lead after the first period.
Penn State came out quick in the second period, forcing a penalty corner just :38 into the stanza. The Nittany Lions got on the board with Morgan Snyder converting the corner set off assists from Natalie Freeman and Anouk Knuvers at 14:16. The Nittany Lions held off a Virginia press after the goal and worked the clock down under the 10:00 mark. The teams battled in the midfield over the next few minutes as Virginia maintained the one goal lead. Penn State threatened with 5:00 on the clock but a Joji Purdy shot at 4:58 hit the left post. Penn State was awarded a penalty corner on review after the play, but Snyder’s shot was blocked by the Cav defense and Virginia took over possession with 4:30 left in the half. Penn State’s defense held, and the Nittany Lions went into the halftime break trailing 2-1.
Virginia upped its lead to 3-1 with a goal early in the third period. The Cavaliers pressed the Nittany Lion defense through the 9:00 mark and the Lion defense held to keep the margin at two. Penn State then worked the ball into the Cavalier zone and forced a penalty corner with 6:59 on the clock and another seconds later, but Penn State’s shots were blocked by the Virginia defense and the clock hit 6:30 with Penn State still trailing 3-1. Penn State withstood a Cavalier offensive burst with a under 2:00 the clock and then quickly moved the ball into the Cav circle to force another corner at :29. Aubrey Semler’s shot off the Freeman pass was blocked and Penn State trailed by two after three periods.
Penn State’s defense held off an early Virginia burst in the fourth period but gave up a penalty corner with 12:06 on the clock. The Cavaliers upped their lead after forcing a corner with Amelie Rees scored off a penalty corner with 11:59 left to put Virginia up 4-1. Penn State eventually worked the ball into the Cav zone and forced a corner of its own, but Purdy’s solid shot was blocked by the Virginia defense at 9:20. The clock ticked below the 5:00 mark with Virginia threatening the Penn State cage once more. Virginia forced a penalty corner at the 4:08 mark. Penn State’s defense held, and the game continued with the Lions trailing 4-1. The home team picked up a late corer at 1:39 and another at 1:29 and a third at 1:17. The third effort proved effective for Virginia as Lauren Sloan knocked the ball past Deverka for a goal at 1:09, giving the Cavaliers the final margin of victory, 5-1.
Penn State is now 0-1, 0-0 B1G. Virginia begins the season 1-0. The Nittany Lions return home for two games next weekend. Penn State hosts Delaware on Friday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. and St. Joseph’s on Sunday, Sept. 7, 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.