THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (5-6, 1-3 B1G) heads to Evanston, Ill, to take on Northwestern (10-0, 2-0 B1G) in Big Ten field hockey action this weekend. The Nittany Lions battle the Wildcats on Friday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. local).
Penn State is coming off a tough B1G road weekend, dropping close games at Michigan (2-1) and Ohio State (2-0). The Nittany Lions are being led by Joji Purdy and Natalie Freeman, who both have nine points. Purdy has four goals and an assist while Freeman has three and three. Keeper Aby Deverka has 37 saves and a 1.96 goals against average.
Northwestern enters the weekend with a perfect 10-0 mark, 2-0 in the conference. The Wildcats downed Iowa 3-1 last weekend in their last contest. Penn State leads the all-time series with the Wildcats 34-9-1.
Penn State returns home for two games next weekend, taking on Big Ten foes Iowa and Indiana. The Lions and Hawkeyes meet on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. and PSU hosts Indiana on Sunday, Oct. 19, 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
LIONS DROP CLOSE ROAD GAME AT
MICHIGAN AND OHIO STATE
Penn State battled No. 12 Michigan and Ohio State tough on the road on the weekend of Oct. 3-5, but lost two close games. The Nittany Lions fell 2-1 at Michigan on Friday and 2-0 at Ohio State on Sunday.
#6 SYRACUSE SCORES TWICE LATE TO THWART
PENN STATE UPSET BID ON THE ROAD
Penn State rode outstanding keeper play by Aby Deverka and goals from Morgan McMenamin and Joji Purdy to a late lead over #6 Syracuse on Sunday, Sept. 28. But the homestanding Orange scored twice late to grab the 3-2 win over Penn State. Deverka finished the contest with nine saves.
MARTHINS AND JENNES SCORE LATE TO LIFT
PENN STATE TO 2-0 WIN OVER MICHIGAN STATE
Freshman Olivia Marthins and senior Ella Jennes scored late to lift Penn State to a 2-0 victory over Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 26, in Happy Valley. Sophomore goalie Aby Deverka picked up two saves in notching her first shutout of the season.
NITTANY LIONS FALL 3-1 AT #10 MARYLAND; DROP 3-2 GAME ON PENALTY SHOTS AT LAFAYETTE
Penn State ventured out on the road for the first time in three weeks and lost two tough games on Sept. 19 and 21. The Lions fell 3-1 at No. 10 Maryland on Sept. 21 and then dropped a tough 3-2 double-overtime game on penalty strokes at Lafayette on Sept. 21.
NITTANY LION OFFENSE SURGES IN 5-2
WIN OVER VISITING KENT STATE
The Nittany Lions got goal from five different individuals in a strong 5-2 win over visiting Kent State on Sept. 14, notching their fourth straight victory. Morgan Snyder, Aubrey Semler, Joji Purdy, Ella Jennes and Natalie Freeman all scored for Penn State in the win.
PENN STATE DOWNS BUCKNELL 2-1
Penn State rode the momentum of a 2-0 halftime lead to a 2-1 victory over the Bucknell Bison on Sept. 12. Katelyn Strawser and Cooper Cutchins scored goals for the Nittany Lions and Aby Deverka tallied two saves.
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.