CHAR MORETT-CURTISS POST-GAME ZOOM REACTION!
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (17-3), ranked No. 6 in the final NFHCA Coaches Poll, posted a 1-0 win over No. 16 University at Albany (16-5) in the NCAA quarterfinals to advance to the NCAA semifinals next weekend. The game was played at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Nittany Lion goalie Brie Barraco earned her second shutout of the weekend and Mackenzie Allessie notched the game's lone goal late in the fourth period to push Penn State into the semis.
The teams traded early possessions, with each squad denting the other's zone in the opening minutes. With action occurring predominately back-and-forth in the midfield, Penn State had the first shot with Anna Simon pushing the cage and having a shot saved by UAlbany's Hannah Mangan just over 3:00 into the game. The Danes pushed the ball towards the Lion circle midway through the opening stanza, but Kelsey Love regained possession for the Lion defense and then Penn State worked the ball back into UAlbany's zone. But the Great Danes were able to force a turnover and action continued scoreless past the 7:00 mark. Penn State forced the game's first corner at the 2:17 mark. Elena Vos' shot off the set was blocked but another corner ensued. Simon's shot off the second corner was just wide and Penn State and UAlbany ended the first period deadlocked 0-0.
Penn State began the second period by driving the ball into the Dane circle and picking up a quick penalty corner. Penn State's shot off the set was ruled too high and UAlbany took over possession. But the Nittany Lion defense continued to force UAlbany into turnovers and Penn State regained the ball, moved into UAlbany's zone, and picked up a fourth penalty corner two minutes into the period. Jemma Punch's shot was just wide off the corner. UAlbany had its deepest push into the Penn State circle at the 11:00 mark of the second period but Vos and the Penn State defense quickly pushed the effort back. But UAlbany was able to force its first penalty corner with 9:11 on the second quarter clock. Penn State keeper Brie Barraco made a great save on a Julie Rodijk shot to keep the game tied 0-0. The Great Danes kept the ball on the Nittany Lion side of the field as the clock moved to the 3:00 mark and forced a penalty corner with 3:08 left. Barraco made a diving save on the corner and then stood firm as a scramble ensued in front of the cage. The Lion defense then knocked the ball out of the circle to keep the game tied 0-0. Penn State gave up a green card with 1:12 left in the half and the teams went to the halftime break scoreless.
The Nittany Lions began the second half by working the ball into the Dane side of the field but UAlbany's defense was able to stifle the early drive. The first four-plus minutes of the third quarter took place, for the most part, in the midfield. Neither team made a major foray into the opponent's circle as the third period hit its midway point. UAlbany was hit with a green card at the 7:40 mark, giving Penn State a player advantage. UAlbany was able to kill the penalty and then Sophia Schoonmaker had a point-blank shot at the Lion cage, but Barraco made a glove save to keep the Danes off the board and the game continued 0-0 at the 5:00 mark. Penn State immediately worked the ball back down the field and forced a penalty corner with 3:56 on the clock. Simon's shot was blocked by the UAlbany defense. Penn State was called for a green card in the midfield with just under 3:00 on the clock. Penn State worked the penalty away but UAlbany was able to keep the pressure on the Lion circle for the remainder of the period. Penn State's defense held, however, and the game moved to the fourth period tied 0-0.
The Great Danes quickly moved the ball into the Lion zone to start the fourth, but the Lions stole the ball quickly and action moved back towards the Dane cage. Sophia Gladieux had a great back hand shot at the 13:50 mark, but Mangan came out to meet the Lion forward and was able to block the shot to keep the game tied 0-0. Penn State's Mackenzie Allessie made a nifty drive into the center circle and swiveled on a shot that missed just to the right with 11:05 left in regulation. The Danes moved the ball into Penn State's circle with 9:30 on the clock and picked up a penalty corner. Barraco made a save on the Dane shot off the set but UAlbany maintained possession. The Danes turned the ball over, however, with 8:00 left in the fourth. Barraco made a diving save at the 5:58 mark and Penn State quickly pushed the ball downfield. Sophia Gladieux had a hard shot saved by Mangan, but Allessie was right there for the rebound, knocking in the game's first goal with 5:47 left on the clock.
With Penn State up 1-0, UAlbany pulled its goalie at the 4:21 mark. The Danes moved the ball into the Lion circle and picked up a penalty corner with 3:10 left in the game. Barraco made another save on a Smisdom shot and UAlbany kept the ball in play and regained possession. The Nittany Lion defense was superb over the final four minutes, defending a corner and overcoming the player advantage that UAlbany had. Penn State effectively killed the clock over the final minutes and walked into the national semifinals with a 1-0 win.
Penn State had a 10-7 shot edge and a 5-4 advantage in corners. Barraco notched the shutout with fives saves while Mangan had two for UAlbany.
The Nittany Lions improve to 17-3 on the year while the Great Danes end their season at 16-5. The win moves Penn State into the NCAA semifinals for the first time since advancing to the NCAA title game in 2007. The Nittany Lions will take on North Carolina in the national semis on Friday, Nov. 18. The semifinals and NCAA title games are all being played at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn. The Penn State/North Carolina game will take place at 12 or 3 p.m. on Friday the 18th at UConn. The NCAA Championship game, featuring the semifinal winners, is set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.
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 0 0 0 1 1
UAlbany 0 0 0 0 0
STATS: PSU UA
Shots 10 7
Corners 5 4
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
1st: PSU – Mackenzie Allessie (unassisted); 5:47
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 0 5
UA: Hannah Mangan 55:22 1 2
Team 4:38 0 0