No. 16 Penn State field hockey (8-7, 3-4 Big Ten) defeated No. 5 Iowa (12-4, 3-4 Big Ten) 2-1 in the Nittany Lions’ final home conference game. It was a Senior Day upset for the Class of 2024, who was playing in its final game at Char Morett-Curtiss Field for the season.

The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal late in the first quarter, however, Sophia Gladieux tied things up before the end of the first half. Gladieux registered a second goal early in the second half that ultimately turned into the game-winner for Penn State.

How It Happened

It was a windy and cold afternoon in Happy Valley for the final game of the season at Char Morett-Curtiss Field. Right away, the Hawkeyes moved the ball on offense with a couple of early shots on goal, however, Brie Barraco denied them all. Later in the first quarter, Barraco couldn’t stop a shot by Alex Wesneski, who launched the first goal of the match for Iowa into the back of the net.

Not only was the offense rolling for the Hawkeyes, but the defense was as well. Shot after shot by Penn State was denied whether it was goalie Mia Magnotta or the Hawkeye defenders, and the Nittany Lions couldn’t find their way into the Iowa circle.

Within the final three minutes of the first half, Penn State was awarded a penalty corner. Julienne van Bekkum set up Sophia Gladieux for a beautiful backhanded goal for her 17th goal of the season.

FIRST GOAL OF THE GAME#WeAre pic.twitter.com/4MqNPaOeGO

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) October 22, 2023

Heading into the second half with the score tied at one, both teams were vying for the go-ahead goal. Less than five minutes into the half, Gladieux weaved her way through traffic and snuck a shot past Magnotta for her 18th goal of the year to grant Penn State a 2-1 lead.

SECOND GOAL OF THE GAME#WeAre pic.twitter.com/ikhVukkX8U

— Penn State Field Hockey (@PennStateFH) October 22, 2023

In the fourth quarter, things began getting chippy between both teams which resulted in Penn State receiving one yellow card and Iowa receiving two.

Still holding that one-goal lead, the Nittany Lions locked all windows and doors with outstanding second-half defense. They denied a late Iowa penalty corner and ultimately secured a 2-1 upset victory.

Takeaways

• Sophia Gladieux, welcome back to the goal column. After not scoring in the previous game against Northwestern, Gladieux scored for the 18th time this season. With only one game remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, Gladieux will attempt to hit the 20-goal mark for the second consecutive season.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will close out their regular season with a matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 27. The game can be streamed on BTN+.