Penn State field hockey (5-6, 1-3 Big Ten) lost to Ohio State (6-5, 2-1 Big Ten) on the road Sunday afternoon in a Big Ten clash, 2-0.

Both of Ohio State’s goals came in the second half after a scoreless opening 30 minutes of play.

How It Happened

The opening period was mostly a back-and-forth, with Penn State and Ohio State trading possessions without creating any chances.

The Buckeyes looked to control possession in the second quarter, earning a pair of penalty corners midway through the frame and forcing Aby Deverka into multiple saves. Penn State looked to counter with short attacks, but spent most of the period defending as Ohio State pushed the pace. At the break, the teams remained tied at 0-0.

Just 1:41 into the second half, Ohio State finally broke through. Loryn Jordan attacked down the left side and fired a shot that deflected off Madison Brittion’s stick and into the net to give the Buckeyes the first goal of the game.

Later in the frame, with 4:42 remaining, Penn State earned its first penalty corner and looked to tie the game. Ella Jennes ripped a shot into the net, but the ball had deflected off the foot of a Nittany Lion, and the goal was waived off, keeping Ohio State ahead 1-0.

Just 2:30 into the fourth quarter, Ohio State doubled its lead. Makenna Webster took a feed from Katie Fichtner and roofed the ball over the left arm of Deverka to make it 2-0 Buckeyes.

With just over 3:30 remaining in the game, Penn State earned a penalty corner in search of a late comeback. Natalie Freeman inserted the ball to Jennes, but her shot sailed wide right of the cage.

Ohio State controlled possession for much of the final minute while Penn State pressed, trying to create one last chance. After almost 40 seconds, the Nittany Lions finally forced a turnover, and Cooper Cutchings launched a long shot that deflected off Katelyn Strawser and into the net with 11.3 seconds left. The play went to video review, and the goal was waived off. The clock then ran out, sealing a 2-0 Ohio State victory.

Takeaways

• The Buckeyes outshot Penn State 10-3 overall and 4-1 in shots on goal, spending most of the game in the Nittany Lions’ end and capitalizing with two second-half goals.
• Penn State had two goals waved off, one on a third-quarter penalty corner and another in the final seconds. Those calls turned out to be the difference as the Nittany Lions were unable to find the back of the net.
• The loss drops Penn State to 0-6 away from home this season, continuing to show struggles to generate offense and close out games on the road.

What’s Next?

Penn State is set to head to Illinois for the team’s third straight Big Ten matchup, this time against undefeated No. 1 Northwestern at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 10. The game will be available on BTN+.