After making it all the way to the 2022 Final Four, Penn State field hockey finds itself in an unfamiliar spot more than halfway into the season. The team holds a .500 record with just six games remaining for the first time since 2020.

It’s been over two years since the Nittany Lions have lost two consecutive conference games, and the road doesn’t get easier as four of their next six matchups are top-20 opponents.

Despite the rough start, head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love believes Penn State is still in a prime position to create a late-season surge.

“We have a lot of season in front of us,” Bervinchak Love said. “We’re playing our Big Ten schedule, which is exciting. And, you know, we still are in a position that we’re in control of our season.”

That surge, however, didn’t start in the Nittany Lions’ outing against Maryland, who at one point, had a four-goal lead. Penn State cut the deficit to two but dug themselves in too deep of a hole.

“Maryland played a very good first half. They were aggressive and played with great pace,” she said. “We were much better in the second half, and I was pleased we made some adjustments and were able to have some success on offense.”

Fortunately for Penn State, the offense is still there and is led by one of the best players in the country: Sophia Gladieux. The senior scored her 12th goal of the season in the loss to Maryland, however, she continues to deliver game after game.

PHIAAA GOALLL #WeAre pic.twitter.com/sg0ajsJK4r

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) October 1, 2023

Veteran leadership is present with Mackenzie Allessie, Carly Gannon, and Brie Barraco, who’ve produced fantastic seasons so far.

“We are a good team, we just got to find a way to put the ball in the cage more than the other team,” Bervinchak Love said. “We’re right there, and we’re gonna keep fighting and we’re gonna get that win.”

Though only six games remain, Penn State is very much in contention for the postseason, but if a push isn’t made soon, it could be a long offseason for the Nittany Lions.