After two big conference wins last weekend, No. 4 Penn State field hockey (9-3, 3-2) dropped one against No. 5 Rutgers (10-2, 3-1) but came back with a win over Bucknell (6-5) this weekend.

Despite not finding the net against Rutgers, the Nittany Lions’ offense came alive against Bucknell in a much-needed win to close out the weekend home series.

Game One: Penn State 0, Rutgers 1

Penn State pulled out the pink jerseys and pink socks for its game in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month prior to the start of this highly anticipated match-up between the No. 4 and No. 5 teams in the country.

This top-five matchup started as expected with both teams applying pressure on defense and not allowing any scoring chances from happening. With just two seconds left to go in the first period, Penn State forward Sophia Mannino went down after taking a stick to the knee that would end up taking her out for the rest of the match.

The second quarter started just like the first with both teams trading possessions and backing it up with strong defensive performances. Towards the end of the second, the Nittany Lions were granted three straight corner penalties, but Gianna Glatz put on some great saves to keep this game tied at zero.

The score of this one remained 0-0 as we head into halftime.

The Scarlett Knights got it going early in the second half with Rachel Houston sneaking the ball into the five-hole of Brie Barraco giving them a 1-0 lead. Penn State applied the pressure late and was able to get one in the back of the net, but after further review, the goal was called back due to time expiration.

Rutgers kept up the momentum in the final quarter by keeping the ball in its zone and not allowing Penn State to gain any chance of getting back into this game. With just a minute left, Rutgers got the first yellow card of the game which set up a penalty corner for the Nittany Lions.

After a missed chance, Penn State was awarded yet another three straight corner penalty shots, but Glatz was too much and stopped a last-second tie from happening. Despite twelve corners and eleven shots, the Nittany Lions started this weekend with a loss to the Scarlett Knights.

Game Two: Penn State 4, Bucknell 1

After losing a close top-five matchup, Penn State looked to bounce back against an inferior foe in Bucknell. Mannino still remains on the sidelines from suffering an apparent knee injury at last night’s game against Rutgers.

The Nittany Lions came out explosive to start this match by registering two shots in just the first two minutes. However, it was the Bison who got on the board first. Mary Kate Stefanowicz scored off Bucknell’s first penalty corner after seven minutes of play. Sophia Galdieux looked to put Penn State on the board and registered two quick shots towards the end of the first, but some athletic saves from Clara McCormick kept the Nittany Lions scoreless.

Anna Simon started the second quarter for Penn State with a great shot on McCormick, but the shot went just wide of the left post. Penn State’s offense started to come alive with two shots from Mackenzie Allessie and one from Gladieux, but McCormick, with the help of a few diving saves, kept the shutout alive for the Bison.

The Nittany Lions finally got on the board with two minutes to play. Allessie scored off a deflection shot from Simon to tie this game up before halftime. Grace Wallis and Gladiuex put two shots up with just five seconds left, but it was McCormick again coming up big to keep this game tied.

Penn State headed into halftime with a 13 to three-shot advantage over Bucknell.

The Nittany Lions got it going early in the second half with Gladieux putting one in the net just 30 seconds into the second half. Gladieux added another goal for Penn State towards the end of the third with an assist from Emma Spisak.

Penn State started the last period with back-to-back corner penalties, but shots from Simon and Gladieux couldn’t find the back of the net. However, just minutes later, Gladieux completed the hat trick after a breakaway opportunity. She now has 13 goals this season in just 12 games.

With ten minutes to play, Bucknell was awarded a penalty corner, but Barraco quickly shut down the Bison’s chance of making this game close with a great blocker save.

Penn State’s offense was too much for Bucknell as it completely controlled the offensive flow of today’s match. By totaling 25 shots and the addition of Gladieux’s hat trick, the Nittany Lions easily came out on top.

Player Of The Weekend

Brie Barraco | Goalie

Despite allowing two goals, Barraco had herself a great weekend. She registered six saves against Rutgers and two saves against Bucknell. Barraco was one of the main reasons why Penn State remained competitive in both of these matches.

Even after dropping the game against No. 5 Rutgers, the Nittany Lions still look sharp as they close out their regular season.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will travel to Easton to take on Lafayette on Friday, October 15. The match will begin at 7 p.m.