UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (6-4, 1-1 B1G), ranked No. 17 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, dropped a hard-fought 1-0 game at No. 10 Iowa (6-3, 1-2 B1G) in Big Ten field hockey action on Friday. Iowa scored early in the contest and Penn State was shutout for the first time this season.
Penn State made an early foray into the Hawkeye zone a minute into the game, but Iowa was able to push the Nittany Lions back and regain possession. The teams battled evenly thorough the 10:00 mark when Ella Jennes moved deep into the Iowa circle, nearly forcing the ball through Iowa goalie Mia Magnotta before an Iowa defender tipped the ball away and out of danger. Iowa launched the first shot of the game when Dionne van Aalsum took a close shot that freshman keeper Aby Deverka made a kick save on. But Iowa was awarded a penalty corner on the play with just under 7:00 on the clock. The Hawkeyes then connected on the corner, with van Aalsum scoring off an Annika Herbine assist.at 6:12. Nittany Lion Phia Gladieux nearly tied the game at 2:45, collecting the ball on a break down the center of the field. But the Hawkeye defense collapsed in on the senior and kept her from scoring. Deverka made a late save to end the first half and Penn State trailed 1-0 after the opening period.
The teams battled evenly through the 11:00 mark before Iowa was able to establish possession in the Nittany Lion zone. Iowa’s had a shot that was taken just outside the circle, Penn State then returned the ball down to the Iowa circle and Gladieux had a backhand blocked at 10:02, keeping the score at 1-0 in Iowa’s favor. Gladieux had another shot at 8:20, with Magnotta making the save to keep Penn State off the board. Penn State kept the offensive pressure on the Hawkeye defense through the 7:00 mark but Iowa held off the Lions. Gladieux dribbled towards the Iowa cage at 5:30, forcing Magnotta into a save. Morgan McMenamin’s shot off the rebound was blocked and Iowa regained possession with 4:45 left in the half. Iowa worked the ball into the Lion circle and picked up a penalty corner at 2:52. The Lion defense held firm on the play and the score remained 1-0. Julienne van Bekkum had a late shot saved by Magnotta and Penn State trailed 1-0 at the break.
Both teams had five shots in the first half. Iowa had two corners to Penn State’s none while Deverka had two saves for the Lions and Magnotta had three of the Hawkeyes.
Iowa’s Annika Herbine had an…
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