No. 12 Penn State field hockey (5-3, 0-1 Big Ten) defeated Bucknell (3-5, 2-1 Patriot League) 2-1 at the Field Hockey Complex Sunday afternoon. It was a come-from-behind win for the Nittany Lions who rallied to score two second-half goals to propel them to victory.

After allowing an early goal, Penn State tied the game with a penalty stroke goal and took the lead thanks to a beautiful back-handed goal from Sophia Gladieux.

How It Happened

It was a wet and rainy game between the Nittany Lions and the Bison and both teams struggled to get any offensive momentum early on. The first quarter saw no shots from Penn State, and Bucknell had two wide shots toward the end of the first 15 minutes.

The second quarter started with multiple penalty corners by both teams. Penn State was unsuccessful on both its first two penalty corners after missed shots by Sophia Gladieux and Mackenzie Allessie and a near goal on a rebound shot by Gery Schnarrs.

Bucknell took advantage of its penalty corners, and on the Bison’s second of the game, Kira Leclercq’s blocked shot turned into a goal by Lily Neilson for a 1-0 lead.

Penn State had multiple opportunities to tie the game before the half with three more corners, but great saves from Bucknell freshman goalkeeper Sarah Althouse prevented a tying goal from the Nittany Lions.

In the second half, Penn State put the pressure on the Bison. After two unsuccessful penalty corners, the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty stroke shot for Allessie, and the captain scored her fifth goal of the season.

MACK WITH THE STROKE GOAL #WeAre pic.twitter.com/ZxkgU72hkl

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) September 17, 2023

Five minutes later, Gladieux smoked a back-handed shot into the back of the net for her 10th goal of the season.

PHIA GOAL PHIA GOAL#WeAre pic.twitter.com/qpRW6ZJRG4

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) September 17, 2023

Heading into the fourth quarter, Bucknell nearly tied the game with a couple of late penalty corners, however, Brie Barraco and Co. stopped the Bison and held on for the 2-1 win.

Takeaways

• Sophia Gladieux scores again. The senior notched her 10th goal of the season, making it her fourth consecutive season with double-digit goals.
• After giving up the first goal of the game, the defense tightened up to not allow another goal. Brie Barraco also racked up three saves and kept Penn State in the game yet again.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will host Syracuse in their final non-conference game of the season at noon on Sunday, September 24, at the Field Hockey Complex.