Penn State field hockey (7-4, 2-1 Big Ten) defeated Kent State (3-9, 2-3 MAC) 3-0 on Sunday in Kent, Ohio, extending its winning streak to five.

The Nittany Lions struck first behind their goal and points leader, Ella Gaitan, after three unsuccessful penalty corners. Gaitan rolled in the fourth to take the only lead Penn State needed. She tallied another goal, and Olivia Marthins did as well.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions started with an opening center pass, dumping the ball into Kent State territory. They took their first possession into the shooting circle but turned it over before they could do anything.

After forcing a turnover, Penn State earned a penalty corner just four minutes into the match. The pass was set up for Joji Purdy, and she missed wide left of the net.

The Nittany Lions continued to dominate ball control and get a few shots off, but Kent State finally responded with an attack of their own. Penn State’s defense quickly extinguished the attack, and its counter, led by Lara Pyle, pulled the goalkeeper out of the net, though her shot sailed over the goal.

The Golden Flashes struggled to penetrate Penn State’s defense early, but a deflected pass broke through, and Kent State earned its first penalty corner. Siena Dunn stopped the shot with her stick at the top of the circle.

The Nittany Lions finally regained possession in the final minutes of the first quarter and earned another penalty corner. Kent State goalkeeper Michaela Skinner blocked Purdy’s shot.

The ball dominance continued into the second quarter for Penn State. They earned their third, fourth, fifth, and sixth penalty corners of the match just under two minutes into the frame.

Skinner made saves on the first three attempts, but Gaitan snuck her shot past Skinner for the first goal of the game.

The Golden Flashes took possession, but Penn State quickly cleared the ball and took it into Kent State territory. Possession bounced between teams in the middle minutes of the second frame, until Marie McCraken broke away into Kent State’s half of the field.

She found Chloe Dhage downfield, who passed it to Marthins in a two-on-one with Skinner. Marthins deflected the pass in for a 2-0 lead.

Kent State finally had a slew of solid possessions, but nothing to show for it as Aby Deverka and the Penn State defense stood strong. The Nittany Lions played keepaway as the first half expired.

Kent State started with the center pass, but Penn State fired the first shot and earned the first real opportunity with a penalty corner three minutes in.

Gaitan’s shot was blocked.

The two squads traded turnovers with more than half the frame remaining until Kent State earned a penalty corner. Emily Robertson’s shot was blocked, and the Golden Flashes remained scoreless.

Gaitan broke away on a steal, and Penn State threatened again in the late minutes of the third quarter. The Golden Flashes cleared the ball out of the circle a few times before they were able to maintain possession.

Kent State needed to come out aggressive, and they did, starting with the ball in the fourth quarter. However, as in the other three quarters, Penn State got the first real scoring chance.

Gaitan’s shot was wide, but just a few minutes later, Penn State earned another penalty corner. Morgan Snyder took the shot, but a Golden Flash blocked it.

Natalie Freeman dribbled into Kent State’s circle, and the ball found Gaitan’s stick. The Maryland transfer fired a shot that deflected off a Kent State stick and found the back of the net for a three-goal lead.

The Golden Flashes couldn’t get their offense going in the final minutes. Penn State held on to its 3-0 lead.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions’ leading goal scorer, Ella Gaitan, notched two goals in the 3-0 win over Kent State. Her 10 goals now rank fifth in the Big Ten.
• Penn State scored a third of its first-half goals in this game alone. Entering Sunday, they had recorded only four first-half goals, two in each quarter, but Gaitain and Olivia Marthins combined for two in Sunday’s first half.
• The Nittany Lions have a five-game stretch in conference play to finish out the season. Four of their opponents are ranked by the NFHCA.

What’s Next?

Penn State will start its conference stretch to close out the season on Friday, October 16, at 5 p.m., against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.