No. 17 Penn State women’s lacrosse (1-1) lost to Colorado (1-1) 10-9 on Friday afternoon for the Pink Zone game. 

In the first half, both defenses stole the show, flaunting discipline and strength, but it was Penn State’s goalkeeper, Sydney Manning, who made the difference with four big saves, allowing Penn State to create a two-goal lead going into the half. The second half started fast, but neither team got much done on offense. In the end, Colorado completed the comeback to win 10-9. 

How It Happened

Penn State maintained its momentum from its rout of Bucknell on Tuesday, winning the opening draw. A long first possession ended with a congested shot from Payton Wainman. Neither team got a foothold on the game early as it was still scoreless with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.  

The first score of the game came with 7:56 left in the first quarter thanks to a goal from Gretchen Gilmore assisted by Kelly MacKinney. The Nittany Lions retained possession from the subsequent draw but couldn’t extend their lead. 

Colorado responded four minutes later, finally beating Manning off a wide-open Eve Hritzuk shot. Two minutes later, the Buffalos had another huge opportunity from a free-position shot, but Manning stood strong and swallowed the attempt.  

Kristin O’Neill took advantage of the big save for Penn State by finishing a free-position shot of her own with 1:29 left in the first quarter.  

Both defenses kept tight for the final minute and a half. The first quarter ended at 2-1 for the Nittany Lions.  

Colorado won the draw to open the second quarter, but Penn State continued the theme of stellar defense and caused a turnover early. The Nittany Lions’ possession didn’t last long, as they turned the ball over off a free-position chance. The Buffaloes capitalized on the mistake equalizing the game with 11: 38 left in the half.  

Colorado took the lead two minutes later after a controlled offensive possession. This time it was Molly Reed who found the back of the net. This caused head coach Missy Doherty to call her first timeout of the game.  

Directly out of the timeout Colorado was given a green card for offsides that Penn State was unable to make use of. After the Buffaloes player was released, they were given another green card for the same foul. This time the Nittany Lions were able to tie it up through a Gilmore free-position shot.  

Penn State took its lead back of a nifty Brooke Hoss goal with five to go in the half. MacKinney found Hoss with space on the crease, and Hoss made no mistake with her fake that beat her defender and the Colorado goalie.  

The defense for the Nittany Lions remained solid to end the first half, not allowing another score. The offense complimented their strong play with a MacKinney goal with 52 seconds left in the first split.  

The score was 5-3 for Penn State at halftime.  

Penn State looked like a completely different team offensively out of the break. After winning the draw the Nittany Lions whipped the more around with added urgency before Payton Wainman scored just 34 seconds into the second half.  

Colorado also picked it up, responding to the Penn State goal with one of its own less than one minute later.  

As the third quarter went on both defenses once again took a foothold on the game as there was not another goal for either team until the six-minute mark. This time it was Gilmore who found her third of the game to complete the hat trick and extend the Nittany Lion lead to three.  

Not looking to fall behind Colorado, Rachel Kennedy wrapped her stick around the defender, confusing Manning to bring the game back within two for the Buffaloes. Colorado won the following draw and would have scored again if not for Manning’s tremendous efforts in goal.  

Eventually, Colorado found a way past Manning and scored twice in succession. The first goal came with 2:34 remaining in the quarter and the next just one minute after. The score was knotted at seven entering the final quarter. 

The Buffaloes opened the scoring in the fourth quarter scoring directly off a ground ball in their defensive half. This was Colorado’s second lead of the game coming with 13 minutes left in the game.  

Forty-four seconds later, Colorado doubled its lead, and Doherty called Penn State’s second timeout. Out of the timeout, Penn State’s defense tightened up causing back-to-back turnovers. The Nittany Lions capitalized on one, which brought the game within one with nine minutes to go.  

Directly off the draw, Penn State regained possession and tied the game at nine. Meghan Murray scored her first of the game from a nice, placed shot. The tie was shortlived, though, as Colorado’s Madeline Pisani bounced her fourth goal of the game into the bottom right corner.  

Penn State held possession for most of the final four minutes of the game but failed to find the equalizer. The final ended 10-9 in favor of Colorado.  

Takeaways

• Manning has been excellent for the Nittany Lions through two games this season. With nine saves tonight, she was the reason Penn State was in the game until the end. If the defense can continue to take more of the one-on-one looks away from its opponents, Manning has the potential to have some of the best numbers in the Big Ten.  
• Both defenses flaunted their abilities giving up limited free-position shots and both creating 15 turnovers.  
• Penn State’s offense continued to utilize everyone on the field but lacked someone it could look to when it needed a goal. Kristin O’Neill was that woman for the Nittany Lions against Bucknell but couldn’t repeat her tremendous seven-point night.  

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to bounce back at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, at Panzer Stadium against Pitt.