No. 6 Penn State field hockey (6-1, 1-1 Big Ten) lost to No. 2 Iowa (9-0, 2-0 Big Ten) 1-0 Friday night. This was the Nittany Lions’ first loss of the season.

Iowa’s Lokke Stribos registered the only goal of tonight’s match. However, it was the Hawkeyes’ defense that showed out by allowing the Nittany Lions only five shots the whole match.

How It Happened

After five minutes of both teams feeling each other out, Penn State’s Mackenzie Allessie found herself on a breakaway, but a great save from Iowa’s Grace McGuire stopped the Nittany Lions from gaining an early lead. After swapping possessions in the middle of the field, Brie Barraco was tested with some last-minute chances from the Hawkeyes, but she kept this game tied.

Iowa kept up the offensive pressure with two early second period shots from Esme Gibson, but Barraco’s pads and right post stopped the Hawkeyes from earning a one-goal lead. Half way through the second period, Iowa finally got one to go in off a corner with Lokke Stribos deflecting the ball over the reach of Barraco’s stick. Defense stayed strong on both sides to close out the period, and the score remained 1-0 in Iowa’s favor.

Defense was the story early in the second half. Both squads weren’t able to get their offenses going and didn’t get any favorable looks on net. Things were getting chippy towards the end of the third as Penn State’s Sophia Mannino received the first yellow card of the match for tripping. However, the score remained the same as we entered into the final period of action.

The Hawkeyes got the first scoring opportunity of the second half with a high shot from Ellie Holley, but a lucky bounce off the crossbar kept this game close for the Nittany Lions. Penn State received its second yellow card of the night after a check from Emily Farrell to stop a potential Iowa breakaway. Penn State’s offense came alive at the end, but it was too little too late as the Nittany Lions recorded their first loss of the season.

Takeaways

• Brie Barraco was one of the only Nittany Lions who truly impressed in tonight’s match. While Iowa registered 12 shots on net, Barraco kept the Nittany Lions in the game throughout the match with her athleticism and two saves, despite the loss.
• Penn State’s offensive game plan of the ‘dump-and-chase’ was not working at all tonight. Although it’s been proven quite successful in the past, Iowa’s defense was too aware and prohibited any of this fast offense from happening. Adjustments should definitely be made before the rematch on Sunday.
• Penalties hurt the Nittany Lions tonight. Before Friday, Penn State had zero yellow cards, but were granted two tonight. The yellow cards came at pivotal moments in tonight’s game that sucked out any momentum from switching to Penn State’s side. The Nittany Lions are going to have to clean up their play as they continue on in their conference play.

What’s Next?

Penn State will stay in Iowa City for a rematch against the Hawkeyes at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 26.