RICHMOND, Va. – The No. 23 Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) came out on top in a gritty contest over Richmond (0-1) in Robins Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The new offense under first year Nittany Lion Head Coach Kayla Treanor shined. Six Penn State players scored a goal with nine of the Blue and White’s 10 goals being assisted. Senior attacker Payton Wainman scored the majority of the Nittany Lions goal en route to a career-high four goals on the afternoon, the most by any player on either side. Junior attacker Delaney Radin dished out six assists for six points, both new career-highs and game-highs. Big Ten Player to Watch Rocquette Allen scored a pair of goals, the second most on the afternoon for Penn State, and picked up a pair of ground balls in her collegiate debut. Junior captain Kelly MacKinney scored a goal from the eight-meter and dished out a pair of assists for three points for her efforts.
The defense also showed out in a gritty performance. Four Nittany Lions picked up multiple ground balls with eight grabbing them throughout the day. Five Penn State players caused a turnover with New Jersey Defender of the Year Susannah O’Connell securing two in her collegiate debut. Additionally, Lizzie Anné made her collegiate debut while Anna Salerno, who secured a goal, and Julia Basciano each made their Penn State debut.
KEY PERFORMANCES
- Payton Wainman – four goals, three ground balls
- Rocquette Allen – two goals, two ground balls
- Delaney Radin – six assists
- Kelly MacKinney – one goal (free-position), two assists
FIRST QUARTER
Maddie Greco won the first draw control of the 2026 season for the Nittany Lions. Penn State couldn’t capitalize on its the opening possessions due to solid defense by the Spiders, but the Blue and White kept Richmond scoreless thanks to its strong defense past the restraining line and on the transition. Wainman drew first blood in the contest off an assist by Radin for the first points of the season for Penn State lacrosse. Richmond answered with a goal from the eight-meter and the Nittany Lions weren’t able to convert on a free-position shot of their own. After a save from the Spiders, Richmond struck again to lead the Nittany Lions, 2-1, after the first.
SECOND QUARTER
Richmond opened the second frame with a pair of goals, one while man-down, despite Manning’s strong showing. Allen, thanks to an assist from Greco, was able to score her first collegiate goal. After a Manning save and a picked-up ground ball from Allen, Wainman notched her second of the contest off a MacKinney assist. Driver, the senior defender, caused a turnover on the following possession, but a Penn State turnover led to Richmond scoring its fifth of the contest. A draw control win by Ho put the Nittany Lions in a great position for Wainman to secure her first half hat trick with the assist being credited to Radin. In the closing moments of the half after a clutch caused turnover by O’Connell, Kelly was able to score a last second goal from point blank thanks to another assist by Radin.
THIRD QUARTER
A stellar defense to start the half led to a ground ball pick up by Lauren Tinson and Wainman continued her afternoon hot streak with her fourth and final goal of the afternoon off an assist by Radin to take the lead for Penn State. Richmond scored a pair of goals to tie up the contest and take the lead, but a save and a quick transition offense led to Allen grabbing her second goal in her debut. Manning nabbed a pair of saves to keep possession in Penn State’s favor heading into the fourth frame with the game tied up.
FOURTH QUARTER
In Penn State’s opening possession of the fourth quarter, MacKinney secured her first, and Penn State’s first, goal from the eight-meter to swing the momentum back in the Nittany Lions’ favor. After a caused turnover by Cailin Hetrick, Erika Ho scored her first of the afternoon off a rocket just inside the eight-meter. A goal by the Spiders ended the Blue and White’s three-goal run, but Salerno, on a man-up opportunity, weaved her way through the Richmond defense to answer on Penn State’s next possession with Radin securing her sixth and final assist of the afternoon. Strong defense held both offenses scoreless for the next four minutes until Richmond ended the drought from the eight-meter. A Spider turnover in the last two minutes of the game iced it as Penn State secured the team’s first win of the 2026 campaign.
POSTGAME NOTES
- The win is Kayla Treanor’s first as the Penn State head coach and her 60th in her career.
- The Nittany Lions outshot the Spiders, 24-19, and outshot Richmond on goal, 17-12. The Blue and White also grabbed more ground balls, 15-13, and had less turnovers, 11-15, while clearing at a higher percentage, .947-.909, in the win.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions head to Holuba Hall to welcome the University of Massachusetts Minutemen in the team’s home opener on Wednesday, February 11 at noon. Admission is free to the public.