Penn State welcomes Bates, Birosik, Celkos, Ehret and Gochnauer

 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Joining the Penn State field hockey team for the 2013 season, head coach Charlene Morett announced the addition of five new members to the Nittany Lion program. Morett and the coaching staff welcome new Lions Sarah Bates (Highland, Md.), Brooke Birosik (Harrisburg, Pa.), Carly Celkos (Voorhees, N.J.), Emilee Ehret (Philadelphia) and Kirsten Gochnauer (Mount Joy, Pa.) during the early signing period.

“I’m really excited about the class of 2013,” said Morett. “It’s a group of young girls that we’ve been keeping our eye on for a couple of years. What I really enjoy about this class coming in is that they’re very balanced. They’re outstanding students. They’re going to represent us very well in the classroom and on the field.”

“What I like about this class, as well, is that we have players that have a lot of flexibility in what positions they can play. Brooke can play a forward or a middy, and the same with Kirsten, who can play a back or a middy. Then we have Carly Celkos, who really is a premiere middy, and Emilee is a back. I would say that Sarah is definitely, absolutely a goalie. But I think that there is a lot of balance regarding their positions. They come from great families that are really excited about being a part of the Penn State family. So, we’re looking forward to getting them here in the fall.”

SARAH BATES

Hometown: Highland, Md.

High School: Glenelg Country School

Coach: Jessica McAdams

Honors & Highlights: Four-year letterwinner for the Glenelg Country School Dragons under head coach Jessica McAdams…Led her team to a B Conference Championship in 2010, as well as the 2009 B Conference Finals…A four-year varsity starter and captained her squad for two years…Ended her high school career with a .890 save percentage and 33 shutouts…Named IAAM Conference B All-Star from 2010-12 and named Maryland All-State Honorable Mention in 2010 and 2012…Selected for the Maryland State Senior All-Star Game in 2012…Named Baltimore Sun Player to Watch in 2012, as well as earned the Glenelg Country School Coaches Award (2012) and the Glenelg Most Valuable Player Award (2009)…Three-time Howard County First Team (2010-12)…Named Washington Post All-Met First Team in 2012, Second Team in 2010 and Honorable Mention in 2011…Named Baltimore Sun All-Metro Team second team in 2012, as well as Baltimore Sun Athlete of the Week Honorable Mention in 2010..Leading Goalie Howard Country Times in 2009 and 2012…Additionally played for the Washington Wolves, D.C. Dragons and Ocelots Field Hockey Clubs…Six-year USFHA Futures Participant…Competed at the National Futures Championship from 2009-12…Participated at Futures Elite (2012-13), as well as in the AAU Junior Olympics in 2010…Attended the National Field Hockey Festival seven out of the past eight years (2005-06, 2008-12)…Also competed at the Disney Showcase (2008-13), the National Indoor Tournament (2008, 2010-12), the California Cup (2004-07) and the Disney AAU (2005-07)…Additionally lettered one year in indoor track.

Personal: Born Sarah Mae Bates on June 8, 1994 in Highland, Md. to Roy and Kimberly Bates…Has two brothers, Justin (17) and Pierce (13)…Selected for the 2013 St. Bernard’s Project in New Orleans…Currently undecided on a major.

Bates on Penn State: “Penn State has everything I want in a college. Its long-standing traditions, school spirit, field hockey program and challenging academics immediately pulled me in. Having played with the same girls since I was six, a family atmosphere is important to me. Once I met the team and coaches, I knew that this is where I wanted to be.”

Morett on Bates: “Sarah Bates is a very athletic goalkeeper that we have coming in out of Maryland. We just like her athleticism, she’s very coachable and she’s really looking forward to learning more at this level. We saw her play down at Disney; she played with the Washington Wolves Club Team year after year. And I think that she’s going to be someone that we see come along quickly.”

BROOKE BIROSIK

Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.

High School: West Perry

Coach: Cori Zeigler

Honors & Highlights: Four-year varsity letter-winner for West Perry High School under head coach Cori Zeigler … 2012 Capitol Mid-Penn Player of the Year and All-State Honorable Mention… Two-time Mid-Penn All-Star… Helped squad to 2010 Capitol Mid-Penn Championship… Lead team in scoring during junior and senior seasons … Played for the East Coast Field Hockey Club… Also a two-year letterwinner in soccer.

Personal: Born Brooke Nicole Birosik on February 5, 1995 in Harrisburg, Pa. to John Birosik and Jennifer Powell… Has two sisters, Brittney (20) and Chloe (9)… Currently undecided on major.

Birosik on Penn State: “After coming up to Penn State, I fell in love with everything it had to offer. The field hockey coaches and team made you feel welcomed. The academics it has to offer and the sports atmosphere here is one of a kind.”

Morett on Birosik: “Brooke Birosik is a West Perry grad. She has really been committed to playing a strong club program and has been to our camps the past couple of years. She has great physical strength and speed. We’d like to really see Brooke tighten up her skills a little bit and use her speed to really be dangerous to counter attack for us.”

CARLY CELKOS

Hometown: Voorhees, N.J.

High School: Eastern

Coach: Danyle Heilig

Honors & Highlights: Currently a member of the 2013 Under-19 National Touring Team…Member of the Under-17 National Team and the Under-19 National Team…Competed in the Under-17 Canada Tour, the National Futures Championship (2007-11), the Futures Elite Tournament (2012) and the Junior Olympics (2010-11)…Four-year varsity letterwinner for Eastern High School under head coach Danyle Heilig…Helped squad to its 14th consecutive State Group Four Title, as well as its 14th Sectional Championship and 14th Conference Championship…Eastern named 2011 and 2012 Top of the Circle National Number One Team…Helped her team to two Tournament of Champions Championships…Individually a two-time First Team National All-American (2011-12), as well as a three-time Regional All-American (2010-12)… Two-time Field Hockey Club of South Jersey Midfielder of the Year (2011-12) and three-time Field Hockey Club of South Jersey First Team All-South Jersey (2010-12)…Three-time All-Conference (2010-12), First Team All-State (2010-12) and First Team Group Four (2010-12)…Team captain and team MVP during the 2011 and 2012 seasons...Attended Spirit of USA Junior National Camp 2010-12… Won gold medal at the 2010 Under-16 National Futures Championship…Additionally won gold at the 2009 and 2008 Under-14 National Futures Championship and competed in 2007…Trained with the 2011 New Jersey Junior High Performance practice squad in 2011…Earned a gold medal at the 2009 Under-14 Disney Showcase and earned silver in 2008…Gold Flight silver medal at the 2010 Under-16 Disney Showcase and Gold Flight bronze medal in 2011...Also a one-year letterwinner in lacrosse and a two-year letterwinner in track.

Personal: Born Carly Elizabeth Celkos on August 8, 1995 in Voorhees, New Jersey to Ed and Tracy Celkos … Has one brother, Eddie (22), who played football at Lock Haven University … Cousin Jenifer Hubler (’04) and Aunt Michelle Primano (’76) attended Penn State … Member of the National Honor Society (2011-13), the NFCHA All-Academic Squad and the Spanish National Honor Society (2011-12)…Currently undecided on major.

Celkos on Penn State: “The first time I went to visit, it felt like home to me right away. I felt that academically and athletically it was the perfect fit for me. The team and coaches felt like a family to me as soon as I met them on my visit.”

Morett on Celkos: “Carly Celkos has been a two-time First Team All-American; the only player in the country, I believe, that has been able to put that on back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. She comes from Eastern High School in south New Jersey, where they have won 14 state championships consecutively. It’s a very, very successful program. Her coach, Danyle Heilig, has just done an outstanding job there. Carly played on the U.S. Under-17 team, the U.S. Under-19 team and was also a member of the Future’s Elite Tournament last year. Her strengths are her poise and her vision. She also has a very strong hit, where she could be a corner shooter, and great pace on the ball. She’s an outstanding passer.”

EMILEE EHRET

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.

High School: Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Coach: Lois Weber

Honors & Highlights: Four-year varsity letterwinner for Mount Saint Joseph Academy under head coach Lois Weber…Helped her team to two Catholic Academy Field Hockey League Championships in 2010 and 2011…Additionally led her squad to the District Semi-Finals in 2011, as well as the District Finals and Semi-Finals in 2010…Three-time Catholic Academy League All-Star (2010-12)…Earned First Team All-State, Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-Southeastern PA…Named to the NFHCA High School National Academic Squad, as well as named Academic All-State…Six-time National Indoor Tournament Champions and three-time National Festival Tournament Champions with the True North and Mystx field hockey clubs…Also a four-year letterwinner in lacrosse…Named Academic Lacrosse All-American, as well as a Second Team Lacrosse All-American…Two-time Catholic Academy Lacrosse League All-Star (2011-12)…Named Mount Saint Joseph’s Lacrosse MVP in 2012…Additionally played for Steps Elite Philadelphia Lacrosse.

Personal: Born Emilee Ehret on December 26, 1994 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Lori and Patrick Ehret … Has two sisters, Margaretha (26) and Whitney (28) … Mother, Lori, played field hockey at College of William & Mary, and sister Margaretha played field hockey at the University of Pennsylvania … Father, Patrick, played basketball at Duke … Godfather, Tyler Ahrenhold, and his wife, Rachel, were Penn State athletes…Member of the Spanish National Honor Society…Currently undecided on major.

Ehret on Penn State: “I chose Penn State because I immediately felt a sense of belonging when I stepped on campus. Penn State embodies academic and athletic excellence. Penn State has a wonderfully diverse community with a strong school spirit. This university is the place for me!”

Morett on Ehret: “Emily E. is a tall, true back. We were really fortunate that we had a chance to see her play one of our tournaments last year. She just has great deception when passing the ball, communicates well for a young player, and really could be the person that is the quarterback of the back field in the future. She also has a really affective drag flick. Em brings a lot of offensive skills to the table although she is primarily a defender.”

KIRSTEN GOCHNAUER

Hometown: Mount Joy, Pa.

High School: Donegal

Coach: Jessica Rose Shellenberger

Honors & Highlights: Four-year varsity letter-winner for Donegal High School under head coach Jessica Rose Shellenberger…Helped her team to the 2012 PIAA AA State Semi-Finals…2009 PIAA AA District 3 Champions, as well as 2010 PIAA AA District 3 Runner-Ups…Additionally 2009 Lancaster-Lebanon League Runner-Ups…Individually named All-State First Team in 2011 and 2012, and earned Honorable Mention in 2010…2012 Lancaster-Lebanon League Player of the Year…Earned Lancaster-Lebanon League All-League Team in 2011 and 2012…Additionally competed at the National Futures Championships (2010-12), Futures Elite (2011-12) and the National Indoor Tournament with OD Clan in 2012…Also a three-year letterwinner in soccer…Named Lancaster-Lebanon League All-League Team in 2009-11…Helped her squad to becoming 2010 PIAA AA Spring State Champions, as well as 2010 PIAA AA District 3 Runner-Ups.

Personal: Born Kirsten Gochnauer on October 7, 1994 in Mount Joy, Pa. to Raymond and Denise Gochnauer … Has one brother, Mitchell (16) … Senior Class Vice President and a member of National Honor Society…Plans to major in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish.

Gochnauer on Penn State: “I chose Penn State because of the outstanding academic traditions, as well as the captivating atmosphere that is PSU. With a great field hockey program, coaches, and teammates, Penn State felt like home the minute I stepped on campus.”

Morett on Gochnauer: “Kirsten G. comes in as Lancaster Player of the Year. She comes from Donegal High School, which is the same high school as Laura Gebhart. We’ve had the opportunity to see Kirsten play at camp, and we just really love her aggressive style and her coachability. As I mentioned, she’s a player that could play potentially back or middy. She’s a strong tackler and has speed to transition from defense to attack.”

Penn State ends 2012 season with 18-4 record

 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 4 seeded Penn State field hockey team ended its run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament Sunday afternoon, falling to Syracuse (19-2) 5-2 in the Quarterfinals. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 3 in the NFHCA Poll, end their season with an 18-4 record and a 5-1 mark in the Big Ten.

 Junior Whitney Reddig (Lititz, Pa.) recorded both Penn State goals for her fifth and sixth of the season, with senior Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.) and redshirt senior Hannah Allison (Mifflinburg, Pa.) each providing an assist. Goalkeeper Ayla Halus (Hershey, Pa.) tallied 12 saves during the contest.

 “Syracuse’s goalie was awesome,” said head coach Charlene Morett. “I though she the difference in the game, really. I think that Syracuse is a good team and their kids played very, very hard. It was an awesome second half. Where we had all of that momentum going, and then they were able to come back…it was tough to get to 2-1, and then all of a sudden it was 3-1…We had some great chances at the beginning of the game, and you have to score on those.”

 “For the seniors, I just want to thank them for all of their years and the effort that they gave. I thought that Hannah [Allison] played exceptionally well today. She was a great leader on the field, as was Ayla [Halus]. Kelsey [Amy] had some great chances, too. But they have been a great group of seniors. And for Lauren Alwine to come in as a redshirt senior and try to help us out, it was a nice addition this year.”

 Penn State seemed to have the advantage at the beginning of the contest, jumping to an offensive surge right at the whistle and immediately gaining a penalty corner. However, Syracuse boasts a powerhouse defense, anchored by goalkeeper Leann Stiver. Stiver denied sophomore Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.) on a hard shot from the top of the circle on the corner, and the squads went on to trade three shots each in the opening eight minutes.

 The Orange began to pull ahead, producing seven unanswered shots in the following 10 minutes. Halus played outstandingly, holding off the opposition each time to keep the score knotted at zero. But at the 18:25 mark, it would be Syracuse to draw first blood. After an initial save on Leonie Geyer, Halus could not respond in time to stop the shot of Gillian Pinder. The Orange pulled ahead to a 1-0 on Pinder’s 10th goal of the season.

 The Lions attempted to get their offense flowing, but the squad was repeatedly rebuffed by Stiver in net. After shutting down Penn State on two penalty corners and five shots, the Orange regained possession and flew down the field in the closing minutes of the half. With a centering pass from Emma Russell, Jordan Page extended Syracuse’s lead to 2-0 at the 30:08 mark. It was her eight of the season and Russell’s 22nd point on the assist.

 Entering the second half, Amy and sophomore Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) continued to push the pace they started in the second half, flying down the wings to gain an edge. Penn State began to control the game offensively, with Gebhart, Allison, Reddig and junior Brittany Grzywacz (Collegeville, Pa.) playing tremendously in the midfield. Their constant tackles and swift moves around the Orange’s defense were the differences in the first 15 minutes of the period.

 The Lions drew eight penalty corners in the opening of the second half, producing 12 unanswered shots between Amy, Allison, junior Ashtin Klingler (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Grzywacz and junior Lauren Purvis (Maple Glen, Pa.). The squad seemed to be unable to get past Syracuse’s defense, though, as Stiver made eight saves in the sequence to keep Penn State off the board.

 Finally at the 51:00 mark, the Lions drew their ninth straight corner. As the ball made its way to Allison at the top of the circle, the redshirt senior sent a quick pass to Reddig at the left corner of the net. Reddig one-timed the ball in out of midair to find the back of the cage for her 26th point. Penn State had now cut the deficit in half to move the score to 2-1.

 Syracuse would respond minutes later, scoring off of a corner at the 53:17 mark. Alyssa Manley found Liz McInerney in front of the net, allowing McInerney to tally her seventh goal of the season. Just two minutes later, Page would score her second of the game from the top of the circle to give the Orange a 4-1 lead. It was the sophomore’s ninth of the season and McInerney earned her ninth assist.

 The Orange went on to gain two more penalty corners, allowing a scramble in net to ensue with just over 10 minutes left to play. Although Halus made an initial save on Geyer, Iona Holloway would tap the ball in for her second goal of the season to extend Syracuse’s lead to 5-1.

 Penn State continued to push forward, fighting in the midfield for possession and drawing two penalty corners in the closing minutes. On the second corner, Amy sent a commanding shot at Stiver, forcing the netminder to give a rebound. Amy hustled to the ball, and sent another shot towards the net where Reddig stood. The junior was able to angle her stick and deflect the ball in past Stiver for her second goal of the game. It was Amy’s 12th assist of the season.

 Time expired to give Syracuse a 5-2 win over Penn State, allowing the squad to advance to the NCAA Final Four. The Lions outshot the Orange 25-20 and held a 15-7 penalty corner advantage. Halus’ 12 saves moves her season total 95, while Stiver made 13 stops to give her squad the win. Also proving to be invaluable on the defense, junior Abby Fuhrman (Bainbridge, Pa.) and Katie Breneman (Washington Boro, Pa.) played an excellent game, making key plays in both the backfield and midfield to aid the squad.

 The Big Ten Conference Champions and Big Ten Tournament Champions had a stellar 2012 season, producing the Big Ten Coach of the Year in Morett, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in Amy and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in Grzywacz. Amy, Grzywacz and Gebhart were named to the All-Big Ten First Team, while Klingler received honors on the All-Big Ten Second Team. Amy additionally was the Big Ten Tournament MVP, and Halus and Gebhart were named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.

 Redshirt seniors Halus and Allison and senior Amy end their careers as Lions by leaving a huge mark on the program. Amy ends the season with 24 goals and 12 assists for 60 points, bringing her career total to 76 goals and 24 assists for 176 points. The senior currently sits at third in all-time career goals, third in all-time career points, 10th in all-time goals in a single season and eighth in all-time points in a single season in program history. Allison finishes the year with 18 points on six goals and six assists to bring her career total to 26 goals and nine assists for 61 points.

 Halus played 4,387.45 minutes as a Nittany Lion, racking up 321 saves and 15 shutouts. Her 2012 season save percentage of .742 moves her career percentage to .722, while her season GAA of 1.61 leaves her with a 1.52 career GAA.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the fifth time in the past 10 years, the No. 4 seeded Penn State field hockey team recorded a 2-1 victory over Albany (13-8) on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The Nittany Lions (18-3), ranked No. 3 in the NFHCA Poll, will face Syracuse (18-2) on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Field Hockey Complex.

 In honor of the Lions hosting the NCAA Tournament, the first 150 students will gain free admission to tomorrow’s contest. Tickets for the First and Second Round games are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and students with valid college or university IDs. Tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the game only.

 Sophomore Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) notched both goals for the Lions, scoring the game-winner with less than 10 minutes to play in the contest. Forcing her way down the right wing into Albany’s defensive zone, senior Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.) fed Herold a centering pass directly in the middle of the circle. The forward then chipped the ball high above goalkeeper Kristi Troch into the right corner of the net to give Penn State a 2-1 lead over the Great Danes. It was Herold’s 11th goal of the season for her 23rd point and her third game-winning goal.

 “It was a huge relief,” said Herold. “We just kept pushing and pushing, but we weren’t finishing. So to finally finish was awesome. Their goalie had a great game; lots of good saves. [Albany] had a great game, too; it was really physical. But in the end, we came out with the win.”

 repared for a challenging opponent, Penn State took the field with a defensive mindset and an aggressive approach. Goals would not come easy for either squad, as a majority of the battles took place in the midfield and along the sidelines. Sophomore Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.) and junior Lauren Purvis (Maple Glen, Pa.) were sources of energy for the Lions, overwhelming the Great Danes to steal away opportunities. Gebhart’s tenacity would build enough momentum to break into Albany’s defensive zone and eventually lead to a much-needed goal.

 At the 14 minute mark of the first half, Amy would gain possession from Gebhart and drive into Albany’s circle. With a hard shot aimed at Troch, the goalkeeper would make an initial save on the senior, but was forced to give up the rebound. Herold instinctively move in for the ball, hammering a shot into a wide open net for a 1-0 lead. It was the sophomore’s 10th goal of the season and the 20th of her career.

 Drawing first blood was vital for Penn State, as Albany took advantage of any mistake and any turnover by the Lions. Goalkeeper Ayla Halus (Hershey, Pa.), however, seemed to always be one step ahead. The redshirt senior had already made one extraordinary split save on Daphne Voormolen by Penn State’s first goal, and went on to fend off a penalty corner with a sidekick save.

 “Ayla [Halus] was phenomenal,” said head coach Charlene Morett. “Ayla was the MVP. With those saves at the end, I thought that she was just outstanding.”

 The Great Danes would put themselves back in the game with less than a minute remaining in the half. After an initial save on Voormolen on another Albany penalty corner, Halus was beat by Echo Bretz on a quick deflection into the net at the 34:25 mark. Echo positioned herself perfectly in front of Kelly Bonner’s rebound shot, getting her stick down in time to find the back of the cage and tie the contest 1-1. It was her third goal of the season.

 An offensive, frustrating stalemate would plague the majority of the second half, with six cards being handed out in the final 35 minutes alone. Redshirt senior and Co-captain Hannah Allison (Mifflinburg, Pa.) managed to pull her squad together on an official timeout, and then reenergized the Lions with strong play in the midfield and along Albany’s circle. Penn State would go on to produce six unanswered shots before the Great Danes finally earned a penalty corner, seemingly stifling the momentum gained on the late first-period goal. Halus continued to deny Albany, making an astounding low save on Laura Page immediately after Bonner banked a shot on the goal post at the 53:03 mark.

 Penn State finally pulled ahead at the 60:02 mark, with Herold’s chip-shot goal moving the score to 2-1 in favor of the Lions. In the closing minutes, Halus made three huge saves on two Albany penalty corners to maintain the lead for the victory. The Great Danes outshot the Lions 15-13 and held a 7-6 penalty corner advantage, which is a rarity for the Lions. Halus was tremendous in net, making seven saves on the day, while Troch recorded five saves with two goals against.

Penn State records second consecutive shutout, Herold scores game-winner

 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Playing in the final home game of the regular season, the No. 5 Penn State field hockey team posted its second shutout in row with the 2-0 defeat of Bucknell University. The Nittany Lions move to a 14-3 overall record, while the Bison sit at 9-8. Sophomore Taylor Herold (Fredericksburg, Va.) notched the game-winning goal with only 13 minutes remaining in the game.

 “In the second half… they did a lot of great things,” said head coach Charlene Morett. “You just have to battle in a game like that. And Bucknell is a very, very good team; they’re very well coached and they have a great structure. So we really just needed to stick to our game plan…Possession was huge. I thought that Laura Gebhart played a great game, one of her best games, and Brittany Grzywacz, and I thought that the defense had a great game.”

 After 57 minutes of aggressive and intense play, the Penn State offense finally broke through a tough Bucknell defense. The first goal of the contest was initially set up by an assertive Whitney Reddig (Lititz, Pa.), when the junior stole the ball and brought it into the circle. Sending a long pass to senior Kelsey Amy (Sweet Valley, Pa.) at the right of the net, the forward moved in and seemed to be positioning herself for a shot. At the last moment, Amy passed across the center to Herold and the sophomore fired the ball over the pads of goalkeeper Erica Perrine. It was Herold’s fifth goal of the season and Amy’s ninth assist.

 After 16 games in the 2012 regular season, the Nittany Lions have established themselves as an offensive powerhouse, scoring more than any other team in the Big Ten conference and resting in the top-five of the NCAA. However, every member of the Penn State squad stepped up to battle in this defense-oriented matchup. Despite outshooting the Bison 4-0 in the opening five minutes, those in the backfield recognized Bucknell’s determination as the Lions defended against a penalty corner at the 6:24 mark. Sophomore Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.), who played outstandingly, fended of the Bucknell offense and cleared the ball out of the circle without allowing a shot.

 It seemed that Penn State would score early on in the game, which is a typical characteristic of the squad, when junior Ashtin Klingler (Selinsgrove, Pa.) made an intricate move to keep the ball in bounds at the midfield line. Sending a pass across the entire field, Klingler found Amy at the far right of the Bison’s circle. Despite barreling a shot towards Perrine, Amy was denied by a sliding kick save from Perrine.

 The offensive stalemate continued throughout the first half, even in the face of Penn State producing 16 shots. Bucknell’s defense proved to be resilient, fending off five penalty corners in the opening 35 minutes. It was the first time all season that Penn State failed to score in the first half.

 As the second period began, a sense of determination set in for the Lions. Holding the Bison to only one shot, Penn State’s defense was remarkable. Junior Brittany Grzywacz (Collegeville, Pa.) appeared to cover the entire field, while junior Abby Fuhrman (Bainbridge, Pa.) was a force to be reckoned with. The defender constantly cleared the ball and stole opportunities away from Bucknell, and would carry the ball inside the circle to set up several scoring chances. Sophomore Katie Breneman showed grit and determination throughout the entire contest, swiftly moving the ball out of the reach of the Bison and frustrating the offense.

 Penn State began to send in reinforcements, with Katie Andrews (Lancaster, Pa.) and Lauren Alwine (Elizabethtown, Pa.) entering the game midway through the second period to shake up the lineup. Pushing back against Bucknell’s staunch defenders, Amy and redshirt senior Hannah Allison (Mifflinburg, Pa.) continued to fire shots at Perrine. Eventually at the 57:01 mark, the duo of Amy and Herold broke the deadlock, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead with less than 13 minutes left to play.

 After fighting off two shots from Allison and Amy, Perrine had to face Grzywacz one-on-one for a penalty stroke at the 62:01 mark. Sending a signature drag flick towards the netminder, Grzywacz found the back of the cage for her 11th goal of the season and gave the Lions a 2-0 lead. The junior is now five-for-five in penalty strokes on the season.

 The Bison failed to move past the midfield in the remaining minutes of the game, and time expired to give the Lions a 2-0 victory. Penn State outshot Bucknell 29-2, 11 of which were produced by Amy, and held a 9-2 penalty corner advantage. Perrine was tremendous in net, making 12 saves to bring her season total to 84. The Lions’ lone save came from Fuhrman, who fended off a shot from Bucknell’s Rachel Misko. Goalkeeper Ayla Halus (Hershey, Pa.) earned her third shutout of the season and the 13th of her career.

 Penn State returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 27, when the squad travels to No. 21 Michigan State for the final game of the regular season. The Big Ten matchup will begin at noon.