UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (10-4, 4-1 Big Ten) defeated the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (6-8, 1-6 Big Ten) at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday afternoon, 2-1.
Ella Gaitan recorded both goals for the Blue & White on the afternoon with the fourth brace of her career while setting a new single-season high for her career with 11 on the season. Natalie Freeman secured assists on both of Gaitan’s goals while Sienna Dunn grabbed yet another assist during the first of Gaitan’s goals.
The Nittany Lions’ victory marks their first season with double-digit wins since 2022 and is the first time since 2023 with at least four Big Ten victories. Penn State has additionally won seven straight, the second-longest streak in the Big Ten with three victories coming in overtime. The Blue & White now have two ranked wins in the Prince era.
FIRST QUARTER | PSU 1 – UM 0
Penn State and Michigan opened the quarter evenly matched, with both teams showing strong defense. Midway thought the quarter, the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty corner and found the back of the goal off of Gaitan’s stick with Freeman on the insert and Dunn stopping. The Wolverines found offensive pressure later in the quarter after being awarded penalty corners, but Penn State kept Michigan off the board.
SECOND QUARTER | PSU 1 – UM 0
Both teams found offensive pressure deep in the circle. The Blue and White grabbed a trio of penalty corners and a fired off three shots in the second stanza while the Wolverines found opportunities to score in Penn State’s defensive zone with four shots and a penalty corner of their own. The two netminders played outstanding defense and found five saves during the 15 minute duration with Aby Deverka securing a pair to keep the Penn State advantage.
THIRD QUARTER | PSU 2 – UM 0
Penn State found momentum early in the third quarter. A two-on-one fast break opportunity early in the quarter between Gaitan and Freeman led to the second Nittany Lion goal of the day off Gaitan’s shot. Neither team added anything else to the scoreboard with no penalty corners being awarded in the frame and four shots between the two teams.
FOURTH QUARTER | PSU 2 – UM 1
Michigan received a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter and the were able to capitalize to score their first goal against the Nittany Lions. The Wolverines continued to pressure throughout the stanza, even increasing it after going to an empty net with three and a half minutes left to play. Despite the four shots against the Blue & White, Penn State’s defense was stout and did not allow Michigan to score another goal, leading to the Nittany Lions securing the win.
UP NEXT
Penn State will head back on the road to take on the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday, Oct. 23 in Bloomington, Ind. at 3 p.m. and will then travel to Iowa City, Iowa to face the Iowa Hawkeyes at noon on Sunday, Oct. 25. Both games will be streamed on B1G+.
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