PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (5-4, 1-1 Big Ten) came out of the Bauer Track/Field Hockey Complex with a hard-fought victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-6, 0-2 Big Ten) on Friday afternoon, 1-0. The win was the first Big Ten victory under head coach Hannah Prince.
Junior forward Katelyn Strawser scored the lone goal of the day after her shot weaved through the crowd of players to find the back of the net. Penn State held the advantage in penalty corners with a six to two lead, while Rutgers led in shots fired with 11 compared to seven. Aby Deverka secured six saves for her second consecutive clean sheet.
FIRST PERIOD | PSU 1 - RUTGERS 0
Penn State was in control from the start. Throughout the stanza, the Nittany Lions kept possession on the Rutgers side of the field while finding itself with opportunities throughout. Penn State found its first corner midway through the frame with Olivia Marthins inserting, but no shot was fired off. With three minutes left in the first, Strawser’s shot was saved but the ball hit one of the Scarlet Knights’ foot to put the Nittany Lions in the team’s second penalty corner situation of the period. In the following mosh pit after Cam Standish inserted the ball in play, Strawser’s volley shot past the Rutgers’ netminder to score the junior forward’s first goal of the season and Penn State’s only goal of the afternoon. The Blue & White defense held firm and did not allow a single shot to come towards Deverka.
SECOND PERIOD | PSU 1 - RUTGERS 0
Defenses stood tall throughout the frame. Both teams were able to fire off only a single shot with both goalies also nabbing a save. No corners were given up during the period either due to the clean field hockey played throughout the frame.
THIRD PERIOD | PSU 1 - RUTGERS 0
Offenses came alive after the halftime break. The Scarlet Knights shot the ball seven times compared to the Nittany Lions’ four shots while Penn State held the penalty corner advantage over Rutgers, four to two. Deverka notched an astounding four saves and Ella Gaitan secured her first defensive save of the season with marvelous stick work in front of the cage. Morgan Snyder and Lilly Holmes fired off volleys in penalty corner opportunities for Penn State while Gaitan’s shot found the Rutgers’ goalie.
FOURTH PERIOD | PSU 1 - RUTGERS 0
The Rutgers’ offense pressured the Penn State defense throughout the fourth stanza due to the use of an empty net late, but the Nittany Lions’ defense held fast. The Scarlet Knights let loose a trio of shots during the frame and Deverka notched a pair of saves despite the barrage. Penn State was able to secure the 1-0 victory and its first conference win of the season.
UP NEXT
Penn State will then head back to the Penn State Field Hockey Complex to face Lafayette on Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m. to face Lafayette for Senior Day presented by the Penn State Alumni Association. Fans can stream the contest on B1G+ and can attend all games at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex for free.
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