UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (4-3, 3-1 B1G) shut out host Michigan State (1-6, 1-4 B1G) in a Big Ten Sunday matinee in East Lansing, Mich. Head coach Char Morett-Curtiss' squad completed the weekend series sweep with a 3-0 victory.
In instances where teams are scheduled to play each other twice during this year's Big Ten season, only the first game between the two squads is considered for the Big Ten regular season standings. Given that, today's game counts only in the overall standings.
The Nittany Lions scored quickly in the first quarter, with Anna Simon (Hanau, Germany) scoring off a penalty corner with assists from Bree Bednarski (Wyoming, Pa.) and Elena Vos (Grave, The Netherlands). Michigan State stifled Penn State's offense for the remainder of the first period and the Lions settled for the one goal lead after the opening stanza.
With the Nittany Lion defense pushing back and Spartan effort and offensive continuity in the second period, Penn State worked to pressure the Spartan circle. Michigan State was able to keep Penn State from getting into a similar offensive flow showcased in the second half of Friday's game. While unable to dent the scoreboard, however, Penn State kept the Spartan offense shut down as well and controlled the action for much of the stanza. Penn State made its first period goal stand in a 1-0 lead at intermission.
The Nittany Lions made good adjustments during the halftime break and were creating more opportunities in the third period. The offensive pressure paid off late in the period when Penn State picked up a penalty corner. Madison Hutson (Gloucester Point, Va.) scored off the corner, with another assist from Bednarski, and the Lions upped their lead to 2-0 at the 1:09 mark of the third period.
Leading by two, Penn State dominated the fourth period. The Lion defense kept Michigan State off balance and goalie Brie Barraco (Allentown, Pa.) continued to pitch a shutout in the cage. Morett-Curtiss' squad put the game away with a late goal from freshman Sophia Gladieux (Boyertown, Pa.). Gladieux's unassisted goal with just 3:02 left put Penn State up 3-0, a score that held for the rest of the game.
The Nittany Lions outshot Michigan State 12-4 and had an 8-3 edge in penalty corners. Barraco picked up her second shutout of the season with three saves. Michigan State goalie Monique Jardell had one save.
"Michigan State made some good adjustments today and we weren't able to get off as many good runs," said Morett-Curtiss. "We hung in there in the second half, however, and created some more opportunities that allowed us to get the win. Jemma Punch and Grace Wallis, in particular, had really good games for us and it is nice to get a Big Ten win on the road."
Penn State is now 4-3 overall, 3-1 B1G. Michigan State is now 1-6, 1-4 B1G. Penn State is off next weekend and then travels to Rutgers for a pair of games on Friday and Sunday, April 2-4, in Piscataway, N.J.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
PENN STATE 1 0 1 1 3
Michigan State 0 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU MSU
Shots 12 4
Corners 8 3
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Anna Simon (Bree Bednarski, Elena Vos); 10:15
3rd: PSU – Madison Hutson (Bednarski); 1:09
4th: PSU – Sophia Gladieux (unassisted); 3:02
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 0 3
MSU: Monique Jardell 60:00 3 1
