Field Hockey: Offense Comes Alive in 5 Goal Rout

Story posted September 26, 2015 in CommRadio, Sports by Mike Wszolek

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania-- An explosive outburst of goals was the talk of the game on Friday at the Field Hockey Complex. The Nittany Lions blasted four goals in the second half to defeat Michigan State, 6-1.

“It was really important for us not only to just come out and play well but to get a big result," said Charlene Morett-Curtiss, Penn State head coach. "We came back at halftime and made some adjustments. I thought our team was on all four cylinders. Everybody had a big night being on."

The scoring opened in the first half on a goal by Mary Nell Smith after a scramble around the goal net.  Roughly ten minutes later, senior Stephanie Hussey put a missile of a shot past the Spartans goalkeeper, Sierra Patton, to put Penn State up 2-0. A quick response by Michigan State pulled the Spartans to within one at halftime.

This is as far as the team in green and white would get. The Nittany Lions pounced on the Spartans and dominated the second half. Aurelia Meijer netted the team’s first of four goals with 28 minutes to play in the second half.

Penn State tallied a total of 12 shots in the first half to Michigan State’s five. The team had their chances but couldn’t convert on the four penalty corners they were given in the first half. With only a one goal lead, the team knew that they needed to attack in the offensive zone.

The Nittany Lions had yet another penalty corner with a little over 15 minutes left in the game. This time, they didn’t miss. Sophomore Shay Cannon put a rocket past Patton to extend the Nittany Lions lead.

“It was awesome. I’ve been practicing and working at it. For me, that’s the kind of stuff that I live for. But, I couldn’t have done it without the help from my teammates.” Cannon said.

Goals by Brooke Birosik and Gina Bramley capped off the four goal second half by the Nittany Lions.

“This was huge,” added Cannon. "We’ve had a lot to prove what we want to do to other teams, and tonight I think we really did. And every team should be worried now because we’re ready to show them what we have.”

Assistant coach Stuart Smith also weighed in on the big win: “Massive. Huge win. I think I feel more of it by getting it from Shay. It’s a huge win for us because going to Michigan last week, I think the girls felt that. To come out here, Michigan State, under the lights, it doesn’t get any better.”

Jenny Rizzo got the win in net while Cori Conley had a great defensive game for the Nittany Lions.

The team will be back home again Sunday to take on Ohio State at noon. Penn State will look to climb in the Big Ten Standings but have a tough task in Ohio State waiting.

“We know what we have to do and we work hard on and off the field together," Cannon said.  We know that it’s not going to be an easy game, so we’ll have to be ready to give 100 percent the entire game,” Cannon.

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