UNIVERSITY PARK – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team (3-1, 0-0 B1G) downed visiting Bucknell (2-3) in non-conference field hockey action Friday at Char Morett-Curtiss Field. The Nittany Lions rode a two-goal halftime lead to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Bison.

Penn State spent the first minutes of the game pushing back an early Bucknell press. The Nittany Lions worked the ball into the Bison zone at the 12:15 mark. Bucknell held off Penn State through the 10:00 mark and the game continued in a scoreless tie to the first period’s midway point. Natalie Freeman made a deep drive towards the Bison cage, forcing a scramble that ended with an unassisted goal by Nittany Lion sophomore Katelyn Strawser at 7:32. Seconds later, the Nittany Lion offense pressured the Bison cage again and were awarded a penalty stroke at 6:18. Bucknell keeper Sarah Althouse made a diving save on Ella Jennes’ shot to keep the score at 1-0 in Penn State’s favor. The Nittany Lions forced the game’s first penalty corner at 4:50 but the Bison defense blocked the PSU shot. Penn State kept pressure on Bucknell’s defense, keeping the ball in the Bison zone through the 4:00 mark before Bucknell was able to break down the left sideline and move into Penn State territory. Penn State recovered and moved downfield. Brooke Weaver forced a corner at 2:35 but Penn State’s ensuing shot slipped wide, and the Nittany Lions carried a 1-0 lead into the second quarter.

The second period began with Penn State forcing a penalty corner at 14:27 and the Bison blocked the Lion shot that followed. The Bison moved the ball into the Penn State circle with 12:00 on the clock, forcing Anouk Knuvers and the Penn State defense into action. Knuvers stole a pass at 11:30, allowing Penn State to reset on the clear. Phi Mannino worked the ball down the sideline as Penn State pushed action into the Bison zone. The visitors held on defense and action moved past the 9:00 mark with Penn State holding a 1-0 lead. The team battled in the midfield through the 6:00 mark before Morgan McMenamin worked the ball into the Bison circle. But BU was able to regain possession. Penn State had a shot sail wide at 2:30 but the Nittany Lions maintained possession. Defender Cooper Cutchins, pushing the circle during the press sailed a shot past the Bison goalie to give Penn State a 2-0 lead at 1:51, a lead the team carried into the locker room.

The Nittany Lions began the third period by moving into Bucknell zone. Aubrey Semler fired a shot from the left side that just missed the Bison cage. Seconds later, Strawser knocked the ball towards goal and Althouse made the save, keeping the score 2-0 in Penn State’s favor with 11:45 on the clock. Natalie Freeman worked the ball back into the Bison zone after the save and forced a corner at 11:09 but Bucknell held defensively. Bucknell was able to force its first penalty corner with 8:07 left in the third period. BU’s Kira Leclercq fired off a shot on the play and Penn State keeper Aby Deverka kicked the ball aside to keep Penn State up by two. Bucknell forced another corner at 4:42 The Bison got off two shots on the corner but the first was blocked by the Lion defense and the second was wide. Bucknell got hit with a green card at 2:33 and Penn State quickly pushed the ball into the Bison circle. But Bucknell’s defense held, and Penn State led 2-0 after three.

Penn State forced a quick penalty corner and Althouse made a save on Semler’s shot after a scramble, all in the first minute. Bucknell then moved action into the Nittany Lion zone, but Penn State’s defense held and moved action back to the BU side with 12:00 on the clock. The Bison defense regained possession and the visitors moved downfield, forcing a corner at 10:55. Penn State blocked the next shot, but BU picked up another quick corner. Another block by PSU led to another Bison corner, and the patter (block/corner) repeated once more. This time, the Bison connected with Leclercq tipping in a Nicky Punt shot to cut Penn State’s lead to 2-1 at 10:28. Deverka made a save on a Bison shot at 9:00 to keep Penn State on top but Bucknell’s offense regained the ball and pressured the Lions once more. Sophia Mannino forced a turnover at 8:25 and Penn State was able to reset on offense. The teams battled evenly until Penn State gave up a green card at 5:09. The Nittany Lions worked the player edge off and maintained their 2-1 lead through the 2:00 mark. Penn State was able to hold off the late Bucknell push and walked away with the 2-1 victory.

“We played a very good first half and actually could have had a bigger lead heading into the lockerroom,” said head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love. “We have to finish better and be more consistent on attack. We let them back in the game in the second half but did enough to grab a very important win for us.”

Penn State outshot Bucknell 10-8. Bucknell had a 6-5 edge in penalty corners. Althouse had three saves for the Bison and Deverka two for Penn State.

Penn State is now 3-1, 0-0 B1G. Bucknell falls to 2-3. The Nittany Lions play their fourth straight home game in two days, hosting Kent State on Sunday at 12 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on X and IG @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.