Penn State field hockey (2-3) fell to Maryland (3-3) Sunday afternoon in Happy Valley. After dominating the Terps on Friday night, the Nittany Lions let in a late-game goal that would ultimately end the contest.

Goals by Anna Simon and Bree Bednarski weren’t enough to counter the two impressive scores by Maryland in the first six minutes. The Nittany Lions lost the momentum they had Friday night and fell 3-2.

How It Happened

Right off the starting whistle, Maryland forward Bibi Donraadt gave the Terps a 1-0 lead. Transfer student and defender Maura Verleg assisted the first goal.

Fewer than three minutes later, midfielder Emma DeBerdine put one in the back of the net with an assist by forward Mayv Clune. Up 2-0, Maryland goalkeeper Noelle Frost made six saves to keep the Terps afloat.

Early in the second quarter, defender Anna Simon made the first goal for the Nittany Lions. Assisted by Elena Vos, Simon did what she does best and capitalized off a penalty corner.

Before wrapping up the half, forward Bree Bednarski snuck in a goal to tie the game 2-2. The fifth-year senior is a key piece to the Nittany Lions offense as she scored Penn State’s first goal of the season against Northwestern.

After a slow third quarter, Maryland came back with a goal in the last two minutes of the game. This time, Donraadt worked with DeBerdine to find the back of the net to put the Terps up 3-2.

The Nittany Lions had one last shot at the final seconds of the game, but it wasn’t enough to beat Maryland for a second time.

Takeaways

• Penn State seemed to lack the same energy it had Friday Night. Falling 2-0 by the end of the first put the Nittany Lions behind and forced them to perform as a second-half team. Friday’s 3-0 win was what they needed after three ugly games in a row, but this afternoon’s game didn’t continue the trend.
• Penn State’s penalty corners need work. These opportunities are what can propel the team forward and take down any competition. Although Simon scored off one today, the rest looked uncoordinated.
• Goal Keeper Brie Barraco made incredible saves in today’s matchup. Although the last Maryland goal could have been avoided, Barraco is the core of this defense.

What’s Next?

Penn State will travel to East Lansing and hope to continue its 11-game win streak against the Spartans. The Nittany Lions will face off against Michigan State at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 19.