No. 16 Penn State field hockey (5-4) fell to No. 10 Syracuse (7-2) 2-1 in the Nittany Lions’ final non-conference game of the 2023 season. It was a rainy, miserable game for both teams as the Orange were able to hang on for the tough win.

After a first half of little offense from either team, Syracuse found the net first but Penn State answered right away. The Orange responded with another goal for the lead and held on for the win.

How It Happened

It was a wet and wild one between the two ranked opponents, however, the first quarter saw little to no offense. The Nittany Lions could only muster one shot on goal the entire quarter, and the Orange were denied on their only penalty corner.

The second quarter was much of the same for the two offenses. Syracuse was able to put up a few shots on goal but was unable to capitalize.

In the second half, Syracuse finally put the first goal for either team on the board. Midfielder Pieke van de Pas scored after a soft shot found its way past Brie Barraco for the 1-0 lead.

However, that lead was short-lived due to a goal from Sophia Gladieux. Less than four minutes after Syracuse took the lead, Gladieux smoked a backhanded goal to tie the game at 1.

Phia with the goal to tie up the game!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/U9MSw778P2

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) September 24, 2023

As the quarter was winding down Syracuse responded. Charlotte de Vries scored a beautiful screamer past Barraco to retake the lead.

Syracuse was able to not let the Nittany Lions tie the game in the fourth quarter, hanging on for the win.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions struggling in the weather. Barraco made eight saves but still allowed two goals.
• Gladieux notched her 11th goal of the year, putting her at third in the Big Ten. Despite scoring it, was the only offense Penn State could muster in the loss. Still, Gladieux has maintained her high level of play throughout the season.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions will travel to Maryland to take on the No. 8 ranked Terrapins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 1. The game be streamed on B1G+.