UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Sept. 24, 2023 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (5-4, 0-1 B1G), ranked No. 16 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, dropped a hard-fought 2-1 game to No. 10 Syracuse (7-2) in a battle of nationally ranked teams. All three goals were scored in the third period of the non-conference contest, played during a steady rain at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
Penn State nearly scored in the opening minute when Carly Gannon intercepted a Syracuse pass in front of the Orange cage and sent the ball careening towards the goal. But SU keeper Brooke Borzymowski swatted the ball down and the early threat was neutralized. Syracuse turned the ball over at the 11:30 mark, allowing Penn State to briefly return the ball to the SU circle, but the Orange defense held. Syracuse had its first offensive threat with 7:30 on the clock with a tip shot going high over Lion keeper Brie Barraco and the Penn State goal. The Orange's pressure forced the game's first penalty corner at 6:50. Eefke van den Nieuwenhof's shot went wide and the Barraco made a save on a Hattie Madden shot seconds later. Syracuse kept the ball on the Penn State side of the field for the next three minutes, working the clock down to the 3:30 mark. Penn State's defense held off SU's pressure for the last half of the period and the game moved to the second stanza tied 0-0.
The Nittany Lions had a scoring opportunity early in the second period, but Sophia Gladieux's shot slid just wide in the opening two minutes. Gladieux then rocketed a shot at Borzymowski, who made the save, and Gannon's rebound shot jumped high as the clock hit the 11:40 mark. Barraco made a save on an Aiden Drabick shot with 9:25 on the clock as SU began pressuring the Lion circle again. Barraco moved out from the goal to nab another save at 7:30 and Penn State was able to clear the zone. Syracuse returned the ball to the Lion side with 5:00 left in the half and Pen State forced a turnover and set up on offense as the clock hit 4:00. The SU defense was able to retake possession. Anouk Knuvers and Carly Gannon combined to force an SU turnover with 2:00 left in the period. Knuvers made another steal at 1:00 and the game moved to halftime in a scoreless tie.
Syracuse had a 6-5 edge in shots in the first half and the half's only penalty corner. Barraco had four saves for the Nittany Lions while Borzymowski had two for Syracuse.
Knuvers and Julienne van Bekkum defended an early Syracuse rush to open the third period. Syracuse was able to get on the scoreboard minutes later when Madden started a fastbreak from midfield and fed Pieke van de Pas who was breaking from the right side. Van de Pas pushed the ball into the Lion cage and Syracuse led 1-0 at 11:57. Penn State responded on offense, picking up its first penalty corner with 11:08 on the clock. Gery Schnarrs' shot off the set was blocked by SU and the score held at 1-0 Syracuse. Penn State's Gladieux sparked a fast break at the 7:50 mark, passing to Natalie Freeman running downfield. Freeman chased the ball down and forced a scramble in front of the cage. Gladieux corralled the ball and zipped a backhand past the SU keeper to tie the game at 1-1 at 7:45. Syracuse responded by forcing a corner with 4:50 left in the period. Barraco made a nice save on the set play off the corner and then another on a subsequent Orange shot seconds later. But the Orange kept the pressure on Penn State and retook the lead, 2-1, when Charlotte de Vries scored unassisted at 3:04. The 2-1 score held into the fourth period.
Syracuse's de Pas had a quick shot to start the fourth period that zipped wide of the Lion cage and then Penn State moved the ball down to the SU side of the field. Gannon took a close shot that Borzymowski made the save on and Penn State forced a penalty corner seconds later, with 12:23 left in regulation. Syracuse defended the first corner, Penn State was awarded another right away, but had a shot sail wide off the second play with 11:48 on the clock. Syracuse gave up a green card at 11:19 but was able to work off the player advantage with an offensive press. Barraco made saves on two tight Syracuse shots to keep Penn State close at the 8:00 mark. Mackenzie Allessie had a shot knocked away by the SU keeper at 4:10, but the Nittany Lions picked up a penalty corner on the play, then another five seconds later. Gladieux had two shots blocked by Orange defenders as the clock moved below 4:00. Penn State pressured the Syracuse circle for the next minute-plus. Syracuse was hit with a yellow card with 2:45 left in game, giving Penn State a player edge for the remainder of the period. Syracuse was able to work the clock down to 1:30 before Penn State gained possession and moved the ball back to the SU side of the field. The Nittany Lions' late offensive effort was defended by Syracuse and the visitors were able to kill the clock, grabbing the 2-1 win.
"We had some poor decision making today and that cost us," said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. "We need to have more composure than we showed today. We were too casual at times and that sloppiness didn't allow us to be as effective as we normally are. We have to clean that up next week and get ready for a big conference game at Maryland."
Syracuse outshot Penn State 13-12 and Penn State owned a 5-2 lead in penalty corners. Barraco had eight saves for Penn State while Borzymowski had four for Syracuse.
Penn State is now 5-4 overall, 0-1 B1G. Syracuse improves to 7-2. The Nittany Lions continue Big Ten play next weekend when they visit Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 1. The game starts at 2 p.m. and is a Big Ten Network national telecast.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X/Twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
PENN STATE 0 0 1 0 1
Syracuse 0 0 2 0 2
STATS: PSU SU
Shots 12 13
Corners 5 2
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
3rd: SU – Piek van de Pas (Hattie Maden); 11:57
3rd: PSU – Phia Gladieux (unassisted); 7:45
3rd: SU – Charlotte de Vries (unassisted); 3:04
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Brie Barraco 60:00 2 8
SYR: Brooke Borzymowski 60:00 1 4