UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (5-3, 1-1 B1G) used two late fourth period goals to down visiting Michigan State (3-5, 0-2 B1G) in Big Ten Field Hockey action at Char Morett Curtiss field. Penn State scored twice in the last 6:00 to break open a scoreless tie and post the 2-0 win.
Penn State worked the ball down to the Spartan side of the field early. Madison Britton and Natalie Freeman led a fast break that ended in a wide Nittany Lion shot with 13:10 on the clock. Michigan State briefly pushed into Nittany Lion territory and Penn State’s defense held off the threat. The Spartans continued to press the Lions and reeled off three close shots, forcing Lion keeper Aby Deverka into two saves (with the third missing wide). Penn State worked the ball out of its zone with 8:00 left in the period. Michigan State forced the game’s first corner at 6:12. The Penn State defense blocked the ensuing shot, but Michigan State was able to retain possession. The Lions forced a turnover at 4:30 and worked into the MSU circle. Joji Purdy rifled a low shot, forcing Spartan keeper Lyra Gavino into a save to keep the game scoreless. The first period ended in a 0-0 tie.
The Nittany Lions began the second period with a quick trip into the MSU circle. The Spartans forced a turnover and action moved to the midfield. Cooper Cutchins nearly connected with Freeman on a long pass, but the Spartan defense tipped the ball out of bounds. Michigan State gave up a green card at 12:16. The Spartans were able to kill off the player advantage and the clock moved below the 10:00 mark. Penn State picked up its first penalty corner of the game at 8:54. Penn State got off three shots on the corner with MSU blocking two and the third sailing wide at 8:10. The Spartans worked into the Lion circle and forced a corner at 7:12 and the Lions forced a wide shot on the play. Michigan State was hit with a yellow card at 5:34. The Spartans were able to defend the 5:00 penalty and the game moved to the half tied 0-0.
Aubrey Semler had a close shot just miss the cage at 13:00 to start the second half. The Spartans were able to regain possession and push action into the midfield. Semler was able to move action into the Lion circle, feeding Lara Pyle with a nice pass. Pyle’s shot was saved by Gavino, but it forced a Lin corner at 11:29. Ella Jennes’ shot forced another quick PSU corner. The Spartans defended the play and moved the ball back to midfield. Jennes forced another corner at 8:41 but to no avail for the Nittany Lions. The game continued on scoreless at 8:00. The Spartans were called for a green card at 7:14. The Lions quickly forced a corner at 6:47. Gavino made a kick save on a Purdy shot and MSU took over possession at 6:22. Purdy and Olivia Marthins took shots on the scramble and Penn State was awarded a penalty stroke at 5:56. Morgan Snyder’s free shot hit the post and the game continued at 0-0. Cutchins forced another penalty corner with 4:57 on the clock but the Lion shot off the play was blocked. Penn State forced another corner with 2:21 left in the period but MSU held. The third period ended tied 0-0.
Michigan State had a solid shot miss just wide at 12:00 to start the final period. Freeman had a shot for Penn State miss high at 9:45. The two teams traded possession as the clock moved to 8:00. Marthins tipped a long pass just wide with 7:02 on the clock. Nittany Lion freshman Marthins put Penn State on the board, turning a turnover into a fast break and an unassisted goal at 5:34 to put Penn State on top 1-0. Penn State kept the pressure on the Spartan defense and Snyder forced a corner at 2:44. The Lion shot off the was tipped wide and Penn State maintained possession as the clock hit 2:20. Penn State forced another corner with :44 on the clock. Jennes connected on assists from Freeman and Strawser and the Lions led 2-0, a lead they carried to victory.
“We played a very good second half,” said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love “We had good possessions, great touches and we created opportunities. Olivia (Marthins) had a beautiful breakaway goal and Ella Jennes’ goal on the late corner was outstandings. I’m very pleased that we came out of halftime the way we did.”
Penn State outshot Michigan State 21-7 and had a 9-2 lead in corners. Deverka had two saves for the Lions and Gavino had seven for MSU.
Penn State is now 5-3, 1-1 B1G. Michigan State falls to 3-5, 0-2 B1G. The Nittany Lions trek to Syracuse on Sunday, Sept. 28, for a 1 p.m. non-conference match-up.
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 2 2
Michigan State 0 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU MSU
Shots 21 7
Corners 9 2
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
4th: PSU – Olivia Marthins (unassisted); 5:34
4th: PSU – Ella Jennes (Natalie Freeman, Katelyn Strawser); 0:34
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Aby Deverka 60:00 0 2
MSU: Lyra Gavino 60:00 2 7