Sports

Ohio Field Hockey dominated by Penn State in shutout loss

By: Evan Johnson
Posted on: Sunday, October 13, 2024

< < Back to

ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Field Hockey (5-7, 2-3 MAC) was shutout at home by nationally ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (7-6, 1-3 B1G). Penn State earned a much-needed win after losing three in a row. They did it by making a statement early. 

Junior Ella Jennes got the first goal of the game. She was able to take control of the ball right in front of the goal, and slap it in. Twenty seconds later, the Nittany Lions got a fastbreak and this time it was Aubrey Semler, who swept it by Ohio goalkeeper Macy Lotze. 

After the two quick scores, the Bobcat defense settled in. They caused a lot of disruption on passes and made Penn State work extra hard to move the ball. Ohio would not allow another score the rest of the half. 

Head coach Ali Johnstone talked about the adjustments made after the first two goals.  

“We talked about the details because I think their quick two goals were just nerves. It was two goals I think that wouldn’t really go in against us,” Johnstone said. 

Late in the first half, the Bobcats got their first opportunity to score with a penalty corner. But the Nittany Lions defense held strong deflecting the ball away.  

Scoring opportunities would be the greatest challenge for Ohio, as they only recorded one shot the entire game. Keeping possession and moving the ball was a struggle due to the suffocating Penn State defense. 

In the second half Penn State expanded their lead due to a back handed goal by Freshman Carly Seal, her first collegiate goal. Three minutes later the Nittany Lions looked to strike again, Katelyn Strawser makes a perfect pass inside and Ella Jennes puts it in for her second goal of the game.  

To start the fourth period, Penn State got the final goal of the game. Senior Sophia Gladieux fired a missile past Macy Lotze for her eighteenth goal of the season.  

Ohio’s defense once again settled down, making a big stop on a Penn State penalty corner. The Nittany Lions were unable to score on any of their six penalty corners throughout the game. 

Unable to gain any offensive possession, the Bobcats ended the game without getting a single shot in the second half. 

Ohio will stay home for a conference game against Kent State on Oct. 20. 

Penn State will travel back home to resume Big Ten play against Michigan on Oct. 18.