UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Thanks to a pair of goals from junior transfer Ella Gaitan, Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1) secured the team’s third win of the 2026 season over the Delaware Blue Hens (1-2) at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday afternoon, 2-0.
Newcomers headlined the Penn State offensive outing. Gaitan scored both Nittany Lions’ goals on the afternoon for her first multi-goal and four-point outing since 2024 when she played the Michigan State Spartans with the Maryland Terrapins. Freshman Chloe D’Hage, fellow transfer Cam Standish and newcomer Sienna Dunn all recorded assists against the Blue Hens. Aby Deverka recorded nine saves on 10 shots on goal to push herself past 150 career saves.
FIRST PERIOD | PSU 0 – DELAWARE 0
Both offenses were aggressive to start the game. Deverka picked up a trio of saves within the period with Delaware also having an opportunity on a penalty corner snuffed out. Penn State fired off a volley of shots along with three penalty corners in the period to keep the Blue Hens on the defensive, but none of those shots converted into goals.
SECOND PERIOD | PSU 1 – DELAWARE 0
Penn State maintained their offensive energy heading into the second period. After being awarded a penalty corner just within the first two minutes, Gaitan scored off a penalty corner inserted by Standish and stopped by Dunn to put the Nittany Lions on top early. Penn State continued to be aggressive throughout the period putting up four shots and another trio of penalty corners forcing a pair of saves by Delaware. The Blue Hens’ continued to aggressive, however, putting up two shots on a penalty corner of their own.
THIRD PERIOD | PSU 2 – DELAWARE 1
The Blue Hens’ didn’t wait long to respond to Gaitan’s goal, scoring just outside the first minute of the third on a penalty corner. The Nittany Lions stayed on the offensive and after a penalty corner turned into a blocked shot, D’Hage passed it inside to Gaitan for the junior’s second goal of the day to retake the Penn State lead. Both squads put up a three shots in the period and Deverka grabbed another pair of saves.
FOURTH PERIOD | PSU 2 – DELAWARE 1
Both teams played fast and furious in the final stanza. The Nittany Lions shot seven times while the Blue Hens registered four while both goalies putting up heroic efforts with Deverka saving three shots. Both squads attempted a pair of penalty corners and Delaware went to an empty net late in the contest to keep up the aggression. It was not enough, however, as Penn State came out on top, 2-1.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions continue the team’s six-game home stretch to start the 2026 season by hosting the Princeton Tigers on Sunday, September 13 at 12 p.m. Fans can stream the contest on B1G+ and can attend all games played at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex at no cost.
Visit GoPSUSports.com for the up-to-date information on Penn State Field Hockey. Fans can follow Penn State Field Hockey social media on Facebook at /pennstatefieldhockey as well as Twitter and Instagram @PennStateFH.