No. 20 Penn State Field Hockey (5-3) won an overtime thriller at Patriot League powerhouse Bucknell (3-5), pushing for a late comeback to keep the now 41-game win streak against the Bison alive.

After an early goal from the Bison, stifling defense and a hot goaltender kept the score 1-0 deep into the fourth quarter. Bucknell looked like it would prevail and win against the Nittany Lions for the first time since 1970, but a Sophia Gladiuex short corner shot sent the game to overtime. Then, she doubled down in overtime to seal the deal and get the win on the road.

How It Happened

Both teams traded quality looks in front of the goal to open the first quarter as lax midfields allowed the ball to be pushed forward at will. Sophia Gladieux almost struck first with her trademark backhand chop, but goaltender Sarah Althouse got her blocker on the ball to deny the chance.

Bucknell started to tilt the field as the quarter wore on, earning time and space in the shooting circle with a heavy press and quick ball movement. Reese Czajkowski looked to break open the game with a cut from the wing, chipping the ball over freshman goalie Aby Deverka, but Gerry Schnarrs swatted the lofted shot off the goal line to keep the score level.

The Bison kept the pressure on, winning two consecutive short corner opportunities. Deverka sent the first shot out of bounds, but All-Patriot League forward Lily Neilson put the second shot out of her reach to give Bucknell a 1-0 lead before the quarter expired.

Penn State pushed hard to start the second frame, getting to the front of the cage quickly. Gladieux, Phia Mannino, and Katelyn Strawser all took shots up close, but Althouse and the Bison defense somehow kept the ball out of the goal in the chaos.

Winning the ball back, the Bison kept the Nittany Lions in their own half, continuing their high forecheck. The Penn State midfield fought hard to force the ball downfield but struggled to hold possession against the pressure, time dripping off the clock as the ball bounced between teams.

Before the halftime buzzer, Nittany Lion forward Natalie Freeman cut in from the left wing, dribbling the ball along the end line to set up a dangerous cross-crease feed. The ball slipped past Bucknell’s defense and goalie as the Bison crashed to deny the play but harmlessly rolled out of bounds as Penn State’s attack was too far away to knock the ball home.

After halftime, Penn State made a shift in goal, opting for grad transfer Lauren Delgado between the pipes. She was tested early, making a first-minute kick save against Neilson to keep the Nittany Lions in the game.

In the next minute, Schnarrs was assessed a green card in the defensive end for her aggressive play as the Bison played keep away at the edge of the shooting circle. Penn State killed the penalty without much fuss.

Stifling defense continued to keep the Nittany Lions at bay, Penn State only getting one chance on goal during the third quarter. Althouse denied the play though, stacking her pads to deny a low Gladieux shot off of a penalty corner. Bucknell started to park the bus as the quarter closed to keep its 1-0 lead into the fourth and final quarter.

Desperate for a goal, Penn State earned another short corner in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Gladieux drew the Bison towards her before dishing the ball to Mannino. She beat Althouse, but Kira Leclercq batted the ball away.

Penn State kept up the pressure, firing away from all angles. A low Morgan McMenamin shot from the left side seemingly trickled into the goal, but Althouse quickly pulled the ball off the line. Amidst protest from the Nittany Lions, the referee called no goal, and the game continued.

In the next play, a high-arcing pass from the Penn State backline bounced into the goal with Gladieux claiming she deflected it from within the shooting circle, but once more, the referee took the goal off the board.

Fired up from two close calls, Penn State pushed in for another attack, getting its fourth short corner opportunity. Again the ball went to Gladieux, who dribbled once before smoking the ball past Althouse to knot the game up at 1-1 with just over ten minutes to play.

Penn State kept up the hunt, this time going for the go-ahead goal, but Bucknell’s stalwart defense wouldn’t budge again. Gladieux took one more shot before the end of regulation, finding the back of the net. The celebration would be cut short, though, as the shot came from outside the shooting circle. Bucknell had its own opportunity to win the game before the final buzzer too, dicing up the Penn State defense on a last-second charge, but Nicky Punt’s shot just missed the target.

Penn State started overtime with possession and immediately looked goalward with deft passing down the right wing. The ball made its way to Gladieux, who cut right to left in the shooting circle before turning back to hammer home a goal just 90 seconds into the period to put the game to bed, the final score 2-1.

Takeaways

• Sophia Gladieux. Who else? Through the early season slate, she’s proved that she can score at will. Her offensive play late in this match was the deciding factor, tacking on another two goals to bring her season tally up to 12.
• Once more Penn State gave up the opening goal. The Nittany Lions are good at playing from behind, winning another comeback victory, but the team can’t keep relying on heroics as it enters Big Ten play.
• The Nittany Lions offense looked good, but they ran into a hot keeper today. Sophomore Sarah Althouse was lights out, denying just about anything Penn State threw at her with a 12-save performance.

What’s Next?

Penn State opens Big Ten play with a home meeting with Indiana at 4 p.m. on Friday.