Penn State field hockey (7-4, 2-1 Big Ten) opened its Big Ten stretch with a 1-0 overtime win over Michigan State (4-8, 0-5 Big Ten) on Friday in East Lansing, Michigan, extending its winning streak to four.

Junior forward Ella Gaitan scored the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime, giving the Nittany Lions their second consecutive overtime victory after defeating Lafayette 3-2 on Sunday.

The win comes as Penn State enters a critical stretch of its regular-season schedule. Six of the Nittany Lions’ final seven regular-season games are against conference opponents, with postseason play approaching.

How It Happened

Both teams struggled to find offensive momentum in the opening quarter. Michigan State pressured Penn State defensively early, limiting the Nittany Lions’ opportunities to advance into the attacking half.

Sophomore defensive back Cooper Cutchins recorded Penn State’s first shot with 8:18 remaining in the first quarter, but her attempt sailed wide. Redshirt freshman midfielder Hope Russo later put the Nittany Lions’ first shot on goal, but Michigan State’s defense kept the game scoreless.

Penn State gradually improved its ball movement in the second quarter but continued to struggle to convert scoring opportunities. Sophomore forward Joji Purdy took two shots after the Nittany Lions’ first penalty corner, but Michigan State blocked both.

The teams entered halftime tied 0-0, with neither side able to capitalize on its offensive opportunities.

Penn State controlled more possession in the third quarter and kept pressuring the Spartans’ defense. Purdy missed another opportunity with 12:43 remaining in the quarter, while graduate midfielder Camryn Standish later had a shot deflected by Michigan State’s defense.

Michigan State earned its first penalty corner with 7:22 remaining in the third quarter, but Penn State’s defense kept the Spartans from scoring. Junior goalkeeper Lola Munoz de Verger also denied a Nittany Lion fast break late in the quarter, keeping the game even heading into the final 15 minutes.

The fourth quarter brought more physical play and several scoring opportunities for Penn State. De Verger stopped Gaitan’s shot after a penalty corner, and freshman forward Chloe D’Hage also saw her attempt blocked by the Spartan defense.

Graduate midfielder Sienna Dunn and Pyle had more chances late in regulation, but neither could put the ball in the net. Penn State earned several more penalty corners but failed to convert, and a potential Michigan State game-winning goal was called off before the teams headed to overtime.

The Nittany Lions wasted little time in the extra period. Gaitan found the back of the net to secure the 1-0 victory and extend Penn State’s winning streak to four games.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions defense held strong throughout the game. Goaltender Aby Deverka did not have to make a single save in the 1-0 win over the Spartans.
• Emily Gaitan continued her fantastic season, scoring the game-winning goal. She leads Penn State with 18 points, with eight goals and two assists.
• Penn State dominated the game but couldn’t find the back of the net. The Nittany Lions had 12 shots compared to Michigan State’s 1. The Spartans’ lone shot didn’t hit the net, either.

What’s Next?

Penn State will return to action against Kent State at noon on Sunday at Murphy-Mellis Field in Kent, Ohio.