UNIVERSITY PARK – The No. 21 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0) are set to host the team’s first ranked matchup of the year against the newly ranked No. 20 Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) on Wednesday, February 17 at 5 p.m. in Holuba Hall. The Nittany Lions will also be utilizing Wednesday’s game as the team’s Morgan’s Message game.

LAST TIME OUT

The offense shined in the win over Bucknell, led by freshman Rocquette Allen and junior captain Kelly MacKinney. The Colorado native, Allen, scored five times and added an assist after another five-goal performance from her earlier in the week against UMass. MacKinney, the junior captain, tied Allen for the team-high in points with six on the afternoon off a goal and five assists. The Bridgewater Raritan product, on her fourth point of the game, surpassed 100 career points to put her in rarified air. Maddie Greco, a senior midfielder, had her best career game statistically, scoring her first goal of the season and her first career hat trick while also picking up a ground ball.

On defense, Cailin Hetrick and Susannah O’Connell led the way. Hetrick secured four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers while the freshman, O’Connell, picked up a ground ball, won a draw control and caused three turnovers. In the draw circle for Penn State was senior Emma Kelly, who had a career-game in the circle with 15 draw control wins and is tied for the seventh-most in a game so far this season. While Kelly had the most draw control wins, eight Nittany Lions had a draw control with the unit as a whole securing 22 of 32 for 68.7% of all draws in the game.

MORGAN’S MESSAGE

Morgan’s Message describes itself as “an organization that strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. The organization aims to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.” Fans can find out more about Morgan’s Message on their website.

MILESTONE WATCH

Erika Ho needs to tally 17 more goals to reach 75 in her career and two points to reach 75 career points. The senior captain also needs 16 draw controls to surpass 150 in her career.

Maggie Driver is one caused turnovers away from 25 in her career and needs to pick up 11 more ground balls for 50 in her career.

Payton Wainman needs to score five points to total 50 in the senior’s career.

Sydney Manning needs five more saves to reach the 250 career saves mark.

OFFENSIVE FLURRY

The Nittany Lions’ offense has been revitalized with the arrival of new Head Coach Kayla Treanor. As of February 16th, Penn State ranks top-10 nationally in assists per game (ninth), points per game (eighth) and scoring offense (10th). The Nittany Lions are also ranked top-two offensively in the Big Ten for free position percentage (first), points per game (second), scoring margin (second), scoring offense (second), shot percentage (second) and shots on goal per game (second).

Allen has been extremely impressive in her second week of collegiate competition. The freshman from Lone Tree, Colorado has back-to-back games with five goals and an assist for 12 total points on the week and 14 on the year after a two goal performance in her collegiate debut. She had a perfect day of shooting against Bucknell, going five-for-five, including one from the eight-meter. In both competitions, her five goals in each were game-highs and tied for the sixth-most goals by any Big Ten player this season, the best by any freshman. Allen is tenth nationally in total goals and third in the Big Ten while also being third in goals per game. Both her and Tewaaraton Watch List member Erika Ho are third in the Big Ten with 60% of their shots reaching the back of the net while Allen is tied with MacKinney for the fifth-most points in the Big Ten and seventh-most points per game in the conference. MacKinney is sixth in Division I, second in the Big Ten, with nine total assists on the season and third in the Big Ten with 14 total points.