Penn State women’s lacrosse (1-0) squeezed past Richmond (0-1) in a tight 10-9 win to kick off the Kayla Treanor era.

The game was a close contest, with the score either tied or within one for 90% of the game. Peyton Wainman scored four goals on the day for a strong season-opening performance.

How It Happened

Penn State’s Maddie Greco won the draw control to start the game. Penn State got the first shot of the game off through Rocquette Allen, but Richmond’s goalie saved it.

The Nittany Lions controlled possession in the opening five minutes, getting off a slew of shots, but Abby Francioli saved four in a row.

Penn State’s breakthrough came with 8:14 left in the first quarter, with Wainman open to get off a fast shot to the upper corner about the goalie’s head.

It took the Spiders just over one minute to tie the game, 1-1, with Keating Hopkins converting her free position shot.

Richmond won the next draw control, but its attempts were foiled by Penn State netminder Sydney Manning. The teams traded possession and shots until the Spiders took the lead with 1:35 to play. The first quarter ended with the Nittany Lions trailing 2-1.

The Nittany Lions won the faceoff at the start of the second period to start with possession, but quickly turned the ball over after 30 seconds. Richmond expanded its lead to two just under two minutes into the quarter. With 10:36 left in the half, it added another goal to make it 4-1.

Penn State won the next draw and wasted no time in fighting back. Greco found herself with time and room at the top of the eight-meter arc, connecting with Allen, who cut in front of the circle, spinning around her defenders and slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Penn State cut the deficit down to one, with 7:08 left in the second quarter. Richmond soon pulled a goal back with 3:14 to play.

With 2:18 left, Wainman secured a hat trick on the day, with a quick shot goal, to have Penn State trail by one, 5-4.

With under a second to go in the first half, Emma Kelly tied the game 5-5. Everyone filled the left side of the field, and Kelly cut through to the right, dodging through defenders and slotting the ball high into the net with 00.6 showing on the game clock.

Richmond won the draw control to start with possession in the second half, but the momentum quickly switched to the Nittany Lions. Wainman grabbed her fourth goal of the night, as Delaney Radin came in from behind the net to connect with Wainman, who got a quick low shot off, giving Penn State a 6-5 lead.

With 11:29 left in the third, the Spiders tied the game back up, 6-6, as Alexis Morton grabbed a hat trick. They took the lead, 7-6, just under five minutes later.

After a few minutes of shared possession, the Nittany Lions found a breakthrough. Allen was wide open on the circle and corner of the net, getting off a quick shot right past Francioli.

The Spiders earned a free position shot with 37 seconds left, but Manning saved the shot, and Penn State won the ball back, as the third quarter ended tied 7-7.

Penn State won the opening draw of the fourth quarter, taking off to goal and drawing a foul. Kelly Mackinney converted her free position shot to give Penn State a one-goal lead with 14:03 left to play.

The momentum stayed with Penn State, as Ericka Ho scored a rocket, taking just one step into the eight-meter to send the ball flying into the top of the net, and give Penn State a two-goal lead.

Richmond grabbed a quick goal to be without one, but Penn State quickly answered with another goal of its own. The offense sent the ball around, with Anna Salerno receiving the ball mid-stride to get on the board.

The Spiders drew a free position shot with just over five minutes to play, sending the ball into the net past Manning to put the game within one again.

The teams got scrappy, trying to secure a win on both sides as time ran down. Richmond turned the ball over to Penn State, who cleared it down to its offensive half and attempted to stay in possession with 30 seconds. Penn State secured the ball and its first win under Treanor, 10-9.

Takeaways

• Wainman and Radin stood out on offense for Penn State today. Wainman grabbed a career-high four goals, and Radin added six assists on the day in this close win.
• Manning had another good performance to start the season, with seven big saves in the games and a handful of clearances that led to goals.
• The Treanor era is off to a great start, folks. Her accolades at Syracuse are already shining in Happy Valley as the team looks revamped.

What’s Next?

Penn State will return to Happy Valley for its home opener against UMass. The game will take place at noon on Wednesday, February 11.