No. 4 Penn State field hockey (12-2, 5-1) shutout Bucknell (4-9) 4-0 Friday evening in Lewisburg.

Much of the first half saw little action from both teams, but Jemma Punch gave Penn State the lead with a goal late in the second quarter.

After that goal, the Nittany Lions’ offense was rolling with three goals in the third quarter. Punch scored her second goal of the game just 15 seconds into the second half. Sophia Gladieux and Meghan Reese each added on to extend the lead for Penn State.

How It Happened

The first 15 minutes of the game saw very little action between both teams, as neither the Nittany Lions nor the Bisons could get a shot to land in the net. Sophia Gladieux and Anna Simon both put up three shots on goal in the first period but couldn’t sneak one past Bucknell goalie Clara McCormick, keeping the score 0-0 after the first period.

The majority of the second period saw much of the same, as neither team was able to score. McCormick continued to perform well for Bucknell, stopping Penn State from scoring on back-to-back penalty corners.

With a minute and a half left in the first half, thanks to an assist by Gladieux, Jemma Punch smoked one into the net, breaking the 0-0 tie, and giving Penn State the lead. The goal was set up by a pass from a penalty corner by Mackenzie Allessie.

As night fell and the second half began, Punch picked up right where she left off, extending the Nittany Lions’ lead to two under a minute in. Punch’s second goal was the first time the senior forward scored twice in a game.

Four minutes later, Gladieux decided to get in on the scoring. The Boyertown native scored her 16th goal of the year off of a rebound from her shot. Gladieux extends her team’s lead in goals to six as she continues a career year for the Nittany Lions.

The third period goals didn’t stop as fifth-year senior Meghan Reese scored her third goal of the season at the 37-minute mark. Reese’s goal brought the Nittany Lions’ lead to four, continuing a dominant third period.

Penn State’s defense was the star of the third period, as it didn’t allow the Bisons to get a single shot on goal during the entire third period.

Heading into the fourth period with a 4-0 lead, Penn State’s defense continued to shine by preventing Bucknell from scoring. At the 55-minute mark, Bucknell was given a penalty stroke, but a save by junior goalie Lauren Delgado kept the game at 4-0.

Delgado had another great save with four minutes to go as Bucknell was threatening with a penalty corner shot. The defense held on to give Penn State their fifth shutout of the season.

Takeaways

• Jemma Punch had an impressive night recording her first-ever multi-goal game in her career. Punch’s presence was felt the second the game began and she showed it by scoring two goals just minutes apart.
• Sophia Gladieux scored yet again, bringing her season goal total to 16. She remains three goals behind Big Ten goal leader Bente Baekers of Northwestern.
• Meghan Reese scored her first goal since the Nittany Lions’ September 16 matchup against Michigan.
• It was a great game for Anna Simon, finishing with seven shots on goal as she continues to show her presence.
• Penn State defense looked strong and Lauren Delgado had some great saves at the end of the game.
• The Nittany Lions dominated the game, outshooting Bucknell 27-7.

What’s Next

Penn State will stay on the road for a matchup against Kent State at noon on Sunday, October 16.