THIS WEEK
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (4-3, 0-1 B1G) hosts Michigan State (3-4, 901 B1G) on Friday, Sept. 26, at 4 p.m. in a B1G Network national telecast. Two days later, Penn State visits Syracuse (6-2) on Sunday, Sept. 28, for a 12 p.m. contest. Syracuse hosts Duke on Friday night while Penn State hosts Michigan State.
Penn State is coming off two tough road losses. The Nittany Lions opened up Big Ten play last Friday, falling 3-1 at Maryland. The team then ventured to Easton, Pa., and lost a hard-fought 3-2 double-overtime contest on penalty shots. Natalie Freeman and Joji Purdy lead Penn State with seven points each (both on three goals and an assist). Morgan Snyder checks in with six points off two and two. Keeper Aby Deverka has 19 saves and a 2.07 goals against average.
Michigan State will enter the week with a 3-4 mark, 0-1 in conference action. The Spartans lost to Michigan 5-0 on Friday and then dropped a 3-1 non-conference game to Miami, Ohio, on the road. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series with the Spartans 39-10.
Syracuse, which hosts Duke Friday night while PSU hosts Michigan State, enters the weekend with a 6-2 mark. The Orange lost a hard-fought 2-1 overtime game to Wake Forest on Friday before falling to Virginia 2-1 at home. Penn State leads the all-time series 24-7-1.
The Nittany Lions hit the road for two Big Ten games next weekend. Penn State is at Michigan on Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. Two days later the Nittany Lions visit Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 5, for a 12 p.m. contest.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X and Instagram @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.
NOTES
NITTANY LIONS FALL 3-1 AT #10 MARYLAND; DROP 3-2 GAME ON PENALTY SHOTS AT LAFAYETTE
Penn State ventured out on the road for the first time in three weeks and lost two tough games on Sept. 19 and 21. The Lions fell 3-1 at No. 10 Maryland on Sept. 21 and then dropped a tough 3-2 double-overtime game on penalty strokes at Lafayette on Sept. 21.
NITTANY LION OFFENSE SURGES IN 5-2
WIN OVER VISITING KENT STATE
The Nittany Lions got goal from five different individuals in a strong 5-2 win over visiting Kent State on Sept. 14, notching their fourth straight victory. Morgan Snyder, Aubrey Semler, Joji Purdy, Ella Jennes and Natalie Freeman all scored for Penn State in the win.
PENN STATE DOWNS BUCKNELL 2-1
Penn State rode the momentum of a 2-0 halftime lead to a 2-1 victory over the Bucknell Bison on Sept. 12. Katelyn Strawser and Cooper Cutchins scored goals for the Nittany Lions and Aby Deverka tallied two saves.
PENN STATE TOPPLES NO. 9 ST. JOSEPH’S
IN OVERTIME
The Penn State Nittany Lions took down No. 9 St. Joseph’s 2-1 in overtime on Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. Anouk Knuvers scored in regulation and Olivia Marthins tipped in a Katelyn Strawser shot in overtime to lift the Lions to the win.
PURDY, JENNES LEAD LIONS OVER DELAWARE
Freshman Joji Purdy scored twice in regulation and Ella Jennes notched the game winner as Penn State posted a 3-2 double-overtime victory over visiting Delaware on Friday, Sept. 5.
FREEMAN SCORES IN SEASON OPENING LOSS
AT #3 VIRGINIA
Natalie Freeman tipped in a shot from Morgan Snyder off a penalty corner to score Penn State’s lone goal in a tough 3-1 loss at #3 Virginia on Friday, Aug. 29. Freeman’s goal got Penn State to within one, 2-1, at the break before the homestanding Cavaliers pulled away in the second half.
FREEMAN SCORES IN SEASON OPENING LOSS
AT #3 VIRGINIA
Natalie Freeman tipped in a shot from Morgan Snyder off a penalty corner to score Penn State’s lone goal in a tough 3-1 loss at #3 Virginia on Friday, Aug. 29. Freeman’s goal got Penn State to within one, 2-1, at the break before the homestanding Cavaliers pulled away in the second half.
JENNES, KNUVERS AND MANNINO NAMED TO
BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
The Penn State veteran trio of Ella Jennes, Anouk Knuvers and Sophia Mannino have been selected to the 2025 Big Ten Field Hockey preseason Players to Watch list.
DEVERKA, KNUVERS AND STRAWSER NAMED TO
NFHCA PRESEASON WATCH LIST
The Penn State trio of Aby Deverka, Anouk Knuvers and Katelyn Strawser have been named to the 2025 NFHCA Preseason Watch list.
ALLY HAMMEL JOINS NITTANY LION
COACHING STAFF
Former Boston University All-American and U.S. Olympian Ally Hammel has joined the Penn State coaching staff heading into the 2025 season. She played at Boston University from 2015 through 2018. Hammel was a two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-American, a two-time NFHCA Northeast Region Player of the Year and a two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. She joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2019 and competed internationally ever since. During her time with Team USA, Hammel competed in the FIH Pro League, the 2022 Pan American Cup and represented the United States in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.