Indiana was chasing opportunities to score in Penn State field hockey’s Big 10 conference opener at Happy Valley.
The final score was 3-2 Penn State. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 19, increased their winning streak to five in a row after beating the Hoosiers.
“A five-game winning streak is a great place to be,” Natalie Freeman said. “We had some tough games in the beginning of the season, but the place we are in now is a really good spot.”
The Hoosiers were the first to have a chance to score. Three minutes into the game, they earned their first penalty corner. Indiana’s Lara Mortz sent the ball to Yip van Wonderen, who passed to Sofia Arrebola Garcia. Garcia’s shot went wide.
On a fast transition, Penn State’s Phia Gladieux weaved around the Hoosiers to drive a hard ball toward cage in front of goalie Sadie Canelli. Freeman finished it placing the ball in the bottom right of the net. It was Freeman’s first goal of the season.
With 55 seconds left, Gladieux made it look too easy as she sent a backhand shot into the top right of the net. She continued her streak of scoring in every game this season. She was assisted by Drew Taylor.
Penn State was up 2-0.
The Hoosiers tried to force the Nittany Lions’ attack out of their circle. Indiana flooded the circle in front of Canelli in the second quarter, which worked and held Penn State from getting more points on the board. Gladieux was able to rip two shots in the second, but Canelli swiped them away.
A miscue by the Penn State defense led to the first Indiana goal. Theresa Ricci sent the ball into the circle in front of Penn State goalie Abby Deverka. The ball was being tipped around by defenders, and Inés Garcia Prado deflected it in.
Both teams were aggressive in the third quarter. With 10 minutes left, Nittany Lion Sophia Mannino was given a green card. Hoosier Meghan Dillon would try to capitalize off the penalty, but Deverka came up big.
Six minutes later, Taylor got her first goal of the season. She got around Canelli, finishing her shot that was assisted by Madison Britton.
The Nittany Lions were up 3-1.
The Hoosiers had many chances to score in the fourth, however, they were only able to score one. Deverka, the target of a few one-on-ones, including ones with Prado, and Dillon, continued to win them.
Another green card was given to the Nittany Lions in the fourth, but this time on Gery Schnarrs with 7:35 to go in the game. The Hoosiers would capitalize on a corner during the penalty as Mortz sent it to Sydney Keld. Keld immediately sent the ball past Deverka and into the bottom left corner making it 3-2.
Indiana tried to tie the game up as they pulled Carnelli with one minute and 30 seconds left. The Hoosiers were awarded a corner with eight seconds left. Mortz took it and sent the ball to Keld, but they couldn’t find an opening.
“The Big 10 conference is the best conference in the country and I think just getting that first win builds momentum and confidence,” Head Coach Lisa Bervinchak Love said.
Penn State will take on Lafayette on Sunday, while the Hoosiers head over to play Lock Haven on Sunday.
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