UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (0-1, 0-0 B1G), ranked No. 5 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll, dropped a hard-fought game at No. 6 Virginia (1-0) in the season opener for both teams. The Nittany Lions fell 2-1 on the road in Charlottesville, Va. The game was the first for new head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love.
Both ranked teams battled each other evenly for the opening minutes, with neither team managing a shot on goal. Virginia survived an early green card to keep the game scoreless as the first period hit the midway point. Penn State keeper Brie Barraco made a save on the first shot of the game, turning back Virginia’s Dani Mendez-Trendler at the 6:18 mark. Barraco made a second save with 2:15 left in the opening period to keep the Cavaliers off the scoreboard. Virginia’s Emily Field hit the post shortly after Barraco’s save and the game moved to the second period tied 0-0.
The Penn State defense forced a high shot from the Cavaliers early in the second period. Penn State’s Drew Taylor took Penn State’s first shot of the game, forcing Virginia goalie Tyler Kennedy into a save with 9:25 left in the period. She followed with a second quick shot that was blocked and the game continued 0-0. Penn State forced the first penalty corner of the game at 9:01 and Sophia Gladieux’s shot off the set play sailed just wide. Barraco served up a save on a Cavalier shot with 5:00 left to play. A minute later, Penn State freshman
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