UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (6-5, 1-2 B1G), ranked No. 15 in the nation, will hit the road for two Big Ten games this weekend. Penn State is at Michigan State (3-8,1-4 B1G) on Friday, Oct. 13, for a 6 p.m. game and then at No. 16 Michigan (*6-6, 1-4 B1G) on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. The game at Michigan is a Big Ten Network national telecast.
Penn State is coming off a thrilling 2-1 win over No. 7 Ohio State last Friday at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Nittany Lions used great defense, with Anouk Knuvers and keeper Brie Barraco leading the way, and three points each from Sophia Gladieux and Mackenzie Allessie to grab the win. Knuvers was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
Gladieux’s 28 points are leading the Nittany Lions. She has 13 goals and two assists. Allessie has 16 points off six and four while Carly Gannon has 11 off four and three. Barraco has 60 saves and a .769 save percentage.
Michigan State is 3-8 overall, 1-4 in the conference. The Spartans are coming off a tough 3-0 road loss at Maryland last Friday. Penn State leads the all-time series with the Spartans 38-10, including a 4-0 win at Penn State last year.
Michigan is 6-6 overall, and also 1-4 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines dropped a challenging 2-1 game at Rutgers last Friday in their last outing. The Nittany Lions own a 29-24 lead in the all-time series. Michigan won a 2-1 game last year in the Big Ten tournament.
Penn State closes its home schedule next weekend, hosting No. 2 Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m., and No. 3 Iowa on Sunday, Oct. 22, at noon.
The Nittany Lions will be looking to avenge the 2-1 loss to the Wolverines last year and the team will be fired up and playing their best as always.
THIS WEEK’S ACTION
#15 Penn State (6-5, 1-2 B1G) at Michigan State (3-8, 1-4 B1G)
Friday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m.
Series History: Penn State leads 38-10
#15 Penn State (6-5, 1-2 B1G) at #16 Michigan (*6-6, 1-4 B1G)
B1G Network
Sunday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m.
Series History: Penn State leads 29-24
*Michigan hosts Maryland on Friday night