Field Hockey Loses Heartbreaker Against Ohio State

Story posted September 27, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Mike Wszolek

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- Penn State lost a tough game on Sunday at the Field Hockey Complex. The game had tons of energy, and both teams showed they were ready to fight, but eventually the Ohio State came out on top 2-1 in double overtime.

The Nittany Lions were coming off of an impressive win over Michigan State on Friday. On the flipside, Ohio State was coming off of a 5-0 shutout loss to Miami (OH). You would figure that Penn State would have the confidence and advantage, but the Buckeyes had their own plans.

The game started with a fast pace, and both teams went back and forth down the field. The Nittany Lions got on the board first off of a penalty stroke by Brooke Birosik. This was Birosik’s second penalty stroke in the past two games.

“I was just aiming at the cage. Just trying to get it on because I have a pretty hard airial so if I just get it on cage in some corner, I’m happy with that,” said Birosik on her goal.

Penn State took the 1-0 lead into halftime, but the Nittany Lions had 14 shots and only one goal to show for it. The Buckeyes only had three shots on goal, but goalie Liz Tamburro had nine saves for Ohio State.

The second half was much like the first half with a lot of back and forth play by both teams. With 23:01 left to play in the second half, Ohio State tied it up on a two on one breakaway. Brooke Hiltz of Ohio State was able to put it past goalie, Jenny Rizzo. This is where the two teams would be at the end of the second half.

A tie after two periods meant overtime, but neither the Nittany Lions nor the Buckeyes could put one in the back of the cage. A second overtime was needed, and this time the Buckeyes were able to win it. A speedy Morgan Kile put a rocket past Rizzo on a fastbreak to end the game.

Although the Buckeyes came out on top, the Lions’ defense was very strong. Ohio State only totaled 12 shots while the Nittany Lions had a total of 25. Cori Conley had yet another strong game on defense for Penn State.

“We played really tough defense, and we didn’t even allow them a corner at all, except for overtime,” Conley said. “I think we really played a good defensive game. We reacted well to the good shots and Jenny reacted well saving them.”

The team will be back in action on Friday when they take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats at 6 p.m. from the Penn State Field Hockey Complex.

“We’re going to have to start finishing a lot. We were able to do it on Friday, and we should’ve been able to do that today,” Conley said.

Birosik added, “Keep the defense out. We just need to start finishing.”

Mike Wszolek is a freshman majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email mewszolek@gmail.com.