THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (2-1, 0-0 B1G) continues a string of four straight home games this coming weekend in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions host Bucknell (2-2) on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. and then welcome Kent State (1-2) on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 12 p.m..
Penn State is coming off a thrilling home weekend that saw the team win two overtime games. The Nittany Lions got two goals from Joji Purdy and the game winner from Ella Jennes to down Delaware 3-2 in double overtime on Friday. Two days later, Olivia Marthins tipped in a goal in extra time to lift Penn State to a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 9 Temple. Penn State is begin led by Purdy’s four points off two goals. Natalie Freeman, Ella Jennes, Anouk Knuvers and Marthins all goals as well. Keeper Aby Deverka checks in with a 2.37 goals against average and eight saves.
Bucknell enters the weekend with a 2-1 record. The Bison beat Sacred Heart 2-1 and St. Francis 3-0 but dropped games to Quinnipiac 2-0 and Temple 3-1. Penn State leads the all-time series with the Bison 46-2-2.
Kent State, which is at Delaware on Friday while Penn State hosts Bucknell, enters the weekend 1-2. The Flash began the year with a 10-1 win over Mercyhurst before dropping a 9-3 game at Ohio State and a 4-1 game at Iowa. The Nittany Lions have an 8-0-0 lead in the all-time series between the two schools.
The Nittany Lions begin Big Ten play next weekend, visiting Maryland on Friday, Sept. 19, for a 5 p.m. game. The Lions then trek to Lafayette for a non-conference battle on Sunday, Sept. 21, 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 Instagram @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
NOTES
PENN STATE TOPPLES NO. 9 ST. JOSEPH’S
IN OVERTIME
The Penn State Nittany Lions took down No. 9 St. Joseph’s 2-1 in overtime on Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. Anouk Knuvers scored in regulation and Olivia Marthins tipped in a Katelyn Strawser shot in overtime to lift the Lions to the win.
PURDY, JENNES LEAD LIONS OVER DELAWARE
Freshman Joji Purdy scored twice in regulation and Ella Jennes notched the game winner as Penn State posted a 3-2 double-overtime victory over visiting Delaware on Friday, Sept. 5.
FREEMAN SCORES IN SEASON OPENING LOSS
AT #3 VIRGINIA
Natalie Freeman tipped in a shot from Morgan Snyder off a penalty corner to score Penn State’s lone goal in a tough 3-1 loss at #3 Virginia on Friday, Aug. 29. Freeman’s goal got Penn State to within one, 2-1, at the break before the homestanding Cavaliers pulled away in the second half.
FREEMAN SCORES IN SEASON OPENING LOSS
AT #3 VIRGINIA
Natalie Freeman tipped in a shot from Morgan Snyder off a penalty corner to score Penn State’s lone goal in a tough 3-1 loss at #3 Virginia on Friday, Aug. 29. Freeman’s goal got Penn State to within one, 2-1, at the break before the homestanding Cavaliers pulled away in the second half.
JENNES, KNUVERS AND MANNINO NAMED TO
BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
The Penn State veteran trio of Ella Jennes, Anouk Knuvers and Sophia Mannino have been selected to the 2025 Big Ten Field Hockey preseason Players to Watch list.
DEVERKA, KNUVERS AND STRAWSER NAMED TO
NFHCA PRESEASON WATCH LIST
The Penn State trio of Aby Deverka, Anouk Knuvers and Katelyn Strawser have been named to the 2025 NFHCA Preseason Watch list.
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.