Bryn Underwood (80) American University field hockey v Virginia in an exhibition match at Jacobs Recreational Complex in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (Photo: Scott Fields/AU Athletics)
Scott Fields
3
Winner PSU PSU (1-1)
2
AMERICAN AU (1-1)
Winner
PSU PSU
(1-1)
3
Final
2
AMERICAN AU
(1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
PSU PSU 0 0 1 1 1 3
AMERICAN AU 0 1 1 0 0 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Field Hockey Battles #5 Penn State to Overtime

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday afternoon, the American University field hockey team took on No. 5 Penn State in a long-fought battle, pushing the Nittany Lions to overtime, but ultimately falling 3-2 against the Big 10 contenders. The Eagles held a two-goal lead in the third quarter but were met with heavy offensive pressure by the Nittany Lions to force overtime.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH JENNINGS
"I thought we fought our guts out. I thought we played really hard. I thought we were able to play in good spaces and get forward. We were opportunistic when we had our chances. We could build a 2-0 lead. At the end of the day, we're a young team, missing a bunch of key players still, and hopefully we'll get them coming back next weekend, but we're growing and learning all the time. It's a huge result for us."

QUICK NOTABLES
  • First years Alyssa Freeman and Emilia Winkler were each able to pick up their first collegiate goal.
  • Junior goalkeeper Bryn Underwood caused a problem for the Nittany Lions offensive effort with 11 saves in the contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Both teams started off the first quarter with a strong defensive effort. Neither team was able to put one past the other in the opening frame, but Penn State out-shot American 5-1.
  • In the second quarter, the Eagles had strong offensive counters to push against the Nittany Lion's defense, shots equal for the period at 4-4 for each team.
  • From a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, Freeman beautifully directed the ball into the goal off a pass from Tayla-Jade Weiss to get the first goal of the game.
  • In the first three minutes of the second half, it was Winkler who forced a turnover in the midfield and escorted the ball all the way into the back of the goal with an impressive solo effort that would give the Eagles a 2-0 lead over the Nittany Lions.
  • In response to AU's strong offensive push, PSU fought back to get three back-to-back penalty corners. Despite the pressure around goal, Underwood was able to hold strong, raking up five saves in the quarter.
  • With Penn State relentlessly pushing back, Sophia Gladieux was able to get one past Underwood, scoring the Nittany Lions' first goal 43 minutes into the contest.
  • The visitors kept the momentum on their side when All-American Mackenzie Allessie was able to even out the score, 2-2, thanks to a penalty corner four minutes of the fourth quarter.
  • The Eagles gained some advantages late in the frame when two Nittany Lions picked up green cards in the period but were unable to execute a goal to regain the lead before the clock ran out on regulation.
  • Defensively, Underwood saved a shot from Gladieux with 23 seconds left to force overtime.
  • Despite Jordan Reicher gaining an advantage early in extra time, the PSU defense held firm and channeled the ball back up the field where two-time U.S. National Team member and 2022 Second Team All-American Allessie was to fight past the Eagles to close the game in favor for the Nittany Lions.
UP NEXT
  • The Eagles squad will be on the road, facing Richmond on Friday, September at 5 pm in Richmond, Va.
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