UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions (8-8, 2-5 B1G), ranked No. 17 in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, lost a hard fought 1-0 game at Rutgers (7-7, 4-4 B1G) in Big Ten Field hockey action. Goalie Lauren Delgado had eight saves in the game to keep Penn State close throughout the contest.
The game began with Rutgers forcing an early penalty corner, just over 1:00 into the game, but the shot off the play hit the post as Nittany Lion goalie Lauren Delgado defended the cage. Back-and-forth possessions carried the play through the 10:00 mark. The Knights moved the ball into the Lion circle at 9:15 but Sophia Mannino stole the ball on a crossing pass to allow Penn State to push action to the other side of the field. Rutgers had a shot sail wide at 4:09 after another deep push into Penn State territory. The Nittany Lion defense continued to hold off RU with Delgado making a save at 3:15 to keep the game scoreless. Rutgers had one last drive into the Lion circle, but Madison Britton and Elle Jennes forced a turnover and the game moved to the second period knotted in a scoreless tie.
Penn State opened the second period with Drew Taylor driving the ball into the RU zone. The Knight defense swarmed the Nittany Lion senior to regain possession and reset action in the midfield. Phia Gladieux pushed the ball downfield as the clock hit 10:30 but the Scarlet Knight defense collapsed back on the play and Penn State was unable to threaten the RU goal. Rutgers threatened the PSU cage again at 9:30 but Delgado intercepted a crossing pass to push back on the pressure. Delgado defended on another Knight shot at 7:10. Gery Schnarrs made a long entry pass from midfield that gave Penn State a quick opportunity but the Knight defense once again held firm at 4:20. Julienne van Bekkum pushed the ball to the top of the RU circle as the clock hit :50 and forced the first penalty corner for the Nittany Lions with :39 on the clock. Penn State did not connect on the inbound and Rutgers quickly moved downfield and forced its own penalty corner with :21 left in the half. The first shot off the corner was blocked but RU’s Puck Winter knocked the rebound into the cage to give Rutgers a 1-0 lead with just :14 left on the clock, giving the home team a 1-0 lead at the break.
Rutgers had a 7-0 lead in shots in the first half and a 2-1 edge in corners. Delgado had three saves for Penn State.
Each team had early opportunities to score in the opening minutes of the third period,…
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