UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (8-8, 2-5 B1G), ranked No. 17 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, lost a hard fought 1-0 game at Rutgers (7-7, 4-4 B1G) in Big Ten Field hockey action. Goalie Lauren Delgado had eight saves in the game to keep Penn State close throughout the contest.
The game began with Rutgers forcing an early penalty corner, just over 1:00 into the game, but the shot off the play hit the post as Nittany Lion goalie Lauren Delgado defended the cage. Back-and-forth possessions carried the play through the 10:00 mark. The Knights moved the ball into the Lion circle at 9:15 but Sophia Mannino stole the ball on a crossing pass to allow Penn State to push action to the other side of the field. Rutgers had a shot sail wide at 4:09 after another deep push into Penn State territory. The Nittany Lion defense continued to hold off RU with Delgado making a save at 3:15 to keep the game scoreless. Rutgers had one last drive into the Lion circle, but Madison Britton and Elle Jennes forced a turnover and the game moved to the second period knotted in a scoreless tie.
Penn State opened the second period with Drew Taylor driving the ball into the RU zone. The Knight defense swarmed the Nittany Lion senior to regain possession and reset action in the midfield. Phia Gladieux pushed the ball downfield as the clock hit 10:30 but the Scarlet Knight defense collapsed back on the play and Penn State was unable to threaten the RU goal. Rutgers threatened the PSU cage again at 9:30 but Delgado intercepted a crossing pass to push back on the pressure. Delgado defended on another Knight shot at 7:10. Gery Schnarrs made a long entry pass from midfield that gave Penn State a quick opportunity but the Knight defense once again held firm at 4:20. Julienne van Bekkum pushed the ball to the top of the RU circle as the clock hit :50 and forced the first penalty corner for the Nittany Lions with :39 on the clock. Penn State did not connect on the inbound and Rutgers quickly moved downfield and forced its own penalty corner with :21 left in the half. The first shot off the corner was blocked but RU’s Puck Winter knocked the rebound into the cage to give Rutgers a 1-0 lead with just :14 left on the clock, giving the home team a 1-0 lead at the break.
Rutgers had a 7-0 lead in shots in the first half and a 2-1 edge in corners. Delgado had three saves for Penn State.
Each team had early opportunities to score in the opening minutes of the third period, but the score held as Delgado made a save at 13:00. Rutgers continued to pressure the Lion defense, forcing a corner at 12:56. Delgado and the Lion defense held, and the score remained 1-0 as the clock moved through the 12:00 mark. Natalie Freeman helped press the ball downfield for Penn State at 10:20 but RU was once again able to take the ball back and move action into the Nittany Lion circle. Morgan Snyder and the Penn State defense held, stole the ball and action moved the RU side as the clock hit 8:00. Delgado made a great defensive play with 3:30 on the clock and then a subsequent Knight shot sailed wide to keep Penn State in the contest late in the third period. Penn State trailed 1-0 heading into the fourth period.
The two teams battled evenly through the first two-plus minutes before Gladieux moved the ball into the circle with a pass to Taylor. Taylor then forced a penalty corner with 12:21 left in the game. Rutgers keeper Sophia Howard made a save on a hard Gladieux shot, Penn State picked up another corner and Howard made another save on another Gladieux rocket. Rutgers picked up its first corner of the period with 9:20 on the clock. The Lion defense held but RU was given another quick corner on the play. A third quick corner was awarded seconds later, and Delgado made a save on the RU shot, giving Penn State possession, still only trailing 1-0 at 8:00. Rutgers worked control into the Lion circle once more and forced a corner with 4:55 on the clock. Delgado came up big with another save but RU was awarded another corner at 4:31. Penn State defended that corner as well and kept the game close. Penn State was unable to wrest the ball from RU’s offense through the 2:00 mark. Schnarrs and Taylor forced a turnover with 1:40 left in the game, giving Penn State the ball. Penn State pushed into the RU circle at :35 but the Knights kept the Nittany Lions from getting off a shot and Rutgers was able to post the 1-0 win.
Rutgers posted an 18-3 shot edge and had an 8-3 lead in corners. Delgado had eight saves to keep the Nittany Lions close throughout the game. Howard had two for Rutgers.
Penn State is now 8-8 overall, 2-5 B1G. Rutgers moves to 7-7, 4-4 B1G. The Nittany Lions close out the regular season at home next weekend. Penn State hosts No. 6 Maryland on Friday, Nov. 1, at 4 p.m. at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X and IG @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
GAME BREAKDOWN
SCORING: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
PENN STATE 0 0 0 0 0
Rutgers 0 1 0 0 1
STATS: PSU RU
Shots 3 18
Corners 3 8
SCORING SUMMARY (goal/assist) – TIME
2nd: RU – Puck Winter (unassisted); 0:14
GOALKEEPERS: MIN GA S
PSU: Lauren Delgado 60:00 1 8
RU: Sophia Howard 60:00 0 2