Despite a solid performance by the Quakers defense last night, the Penn field hockey team fell to Penn State, 2-0, in front of 222 fans at Bigler Field in State College, Pa.
"We played very strong against them and had it down in their half basically all of the second half," Penn senior co-captain Emily Farnesi said. "You couldn't tell that they were the number six team and we weren't ranked."
In addition to being sixth in the country overall, the Nittany Lions also boast the fifth-best scoring offense in the country. The Quakers managed to hold off the formidable attackers thanks to their goalies -- sophomore Amanda Jacobs and freshman Elizabeth Schlossberg.
Jacobs, ranked 11th in goals-against average in the country, made three saves in the first half. However, she allowed Penn State senior Heather Conroy to score the first of her two goals at the 26:50 mark. Conroy scored from center field off a pass from teammate Timarie Legel.
Schlossberg stepped in for the second stanza and let in Conroy's second goal with 11 minutes to go in regulation. The Penn freshman did not record any saves in 35 minutes of play.
Conroy scored her second goal of the night and sixth of the season off one of Penn State's six penalty corners. Farnesi noted that Penn State's ability to convert on corners proved to be the difference in the game.
The Nittany Lions took advantage of one of their six penalty corners. The Quakers had only two penalty corners and failed to score on both.
Despite solid efforts by Penn's defense, the Lions were a step ahead -- as Penn State goalie Annie Zinkavich notched her fourth shutout of the season.
Penn junior Liz Lorelli and senior Marianne Rogers recorded two shots each, but Zinkavich was able to stop all four Penn shots on goal in earning the shutout.
Despite an impressive performance by the Penn goalies, the Nittany Lions still proved their offensive dominance.
Penn State was able to take 11 shots, while Penn was able to take only six.
Last night marked the fourth consecutive win for Penn State, pushing its mark to 8-1 overall. The game also marks the Lion's ninth consecutive home-turf victory.
On the other hand, the loss leaves the Quakers with a record of 2-4. They will return home to Franklin Field to face La Salle on Saturday at noon.
