In a weekend full of Big Ten play, No. 8 Penn State field hockey (8-2, 3-1 Big Ten) took down Indiana (6-5, 0-3 Big Ten) and No. 4 Northwestern (9-3, 1-2 Big Ten).

The highlights of the weekend for the Nittany Lions were the offense, strong defense, and electric energy as they went undefeated in two Big Ten matchups at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.

Game One: Penn State 4, Indiana 1

After some struggles in Iowa last weekend, the Nittany Lions came out hot against the Hoosiers. Penn State accumulated 22 shots on goal to Indiana’s two in this conference win Friday. While the first quarter of this game did not see any score, the offense was electric for Penn State. The intensity was high and it caused Indiana to give up two penalty corners in the first quarter. 

At the start of the second, Kennedy Reardon of Indiana scored off of Penn State’s first penalty corner, making the score 1-0. But, the intensity continued from Penn State and Sophia Gladieux scored unassisted at the 2:56 mark to tie up the game 1-1 going into halftime.

Much like the first half of the game, the offensive continued to dominate for the Nittany Lions. While the third quarter started off slow, there was one shot on goal for Penn State that went without a score.

The fourth quarter showcased true dominance from three of Penn State’s top players. This series of points started when Anna Simon scored unassisted at the 9:03 mark, making the score 2-1. After some time spent downfield, the Nittany Lions struck again at 4:38 when Gladieux scored off of Mackenzie Allessie’s assist. A minute later, Alessie struck again, this time unassisted, to give Penn State the final 4-1 victory Friday night. 

Game Two: Penn State 2, Northwestern 1

Opposite from the game on Friday, Sunday’s game was all about the defense. Both teams came out strong in the first half not letting up a single goal, despite Penn State’s five shots. The first half also saw a number of penalty corners for both teams.

The second half started off very similar with a Northwestern penalty corner within the first few minutes. The Nittany Lions finally broke through with a goal from Allessie with 24 seconds left in the third quarter, making the score 1-0.

The fourth quarter saw very similar action to the first half of the game. The defense was strong for both teams, and Northwestern was only given one penalty corner. But, within the last two minutes, Northwestern’s Bente Baekers scored on the second penalty corner of the half, tying up the score at 1-1. This late score led the game into overtime.

The overtime escapade began when Penn State was awarded a penalty corner with 1:27 left in the first OT, but it did not score. The second OT then began and tensions were high for both teams. It then ended in dramatic fashion with a goal by Gladieux assisted by Grace Wallis. That made the score 2-1 and secured the victory for Penn State.

Player of the Weekend: Sophia Gladieux

In the first few minutes of the game on Friday, Gladieux got hit in the head and had to be escorted off of the field. It looked as though it might be the end of the night for her, but she returned by the end of the first quarter and scored two of Penn State’s four goals on Friday night.

This stellar performance carried over to the game on Sunday when she scored the game-winning goal in double-overtime to beat Northwestern. This dominant performance was unstoppable throughout the whole weekend.

What’s Next?

Penn State is back next weekend at home taking on Rutgers at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 8 and Bucknell at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 9.