With the 2025 season fast approaching, Penn State is gearing up for one of its most ambitious and competitive schedules in recent years. The Nittany Lions will navigate a packed lineup of nationally ranked opponents, heated Big Ten rivals and key nonconference clashes, all while balancing a heavy travel load.
Head coach Lisa Bervinchak Love’s squad eyes a return to the postseason after finishing 8–9 overall and narrowly missing the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, placing them at No. 18 in the national rankings to end the season.
Penn State’s season begins with a high-stakes rematch at Virginia on Aug. 29. The Cavaliers spent much of 2024 ranked No. 3 and opened last season with a narrow 2–1 win over the Nittany Lions, kickstarting a nine-game win streak.
For Penn State, this is more than just a difficult opener — it’s a shot at early-season redemption and a chance to set the tone.
Penn State then returns home for three crucial matchups against Delaware, St. Joseph’s and Kent State. Delaware enters a transitional year after winning its 10th CAA title in 12 seasons. Playing as an independent this fall, the Blue Hens are in a crucial year for postseason eligibility.
Saint Joseph’s, meanwhile, is coming off a historic Final Four run and a program-record 20 wins. The Hawks, led by Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Hannah Prince, are a rising national power.
Kent State, under first-year head coach Heather Hefner, reached the MAC semifinals in 2024 and looks to build off that momentum. Winning this stretch would boost Penn State’s resume before conference play.
The Big Ten slate kicks off Sept. 26 at home against Michigan State, a team that went 1–7 in conference play but pushed Penn State to overtime last season.
Then come heavyweight tests. Ohio State, who opened 2024 with an 8–0 run and ranked as high as No. 3, and Northwestern, the reigning national champion coming off a 23–1 season. Both games will test Penn State’s defense and composure.
Midfielder Sophia Mannino (42) waves to the crowd during team introductions before Penn State’s field hockey match against Maryland at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Terrapins beat the Nittany Lions 4-2.
Jonah Richmond
The Nittany Lions return home for meetings with Iowa and Indiana, both capable of playing spoiler. Indiana rallied in 2024 to reach the Big Ten Tournament, showing how quickly a season can turn around.
Entering a key midseason stretch, Penn State faces three tough road opponents in Maryland, Lafayette and Michigan.
Maryland comes into the 2025 season after finishing 13-7 in 2024, while Lafayette is the reigning Patriot League champions, which could be a trap game if not handled right.
Michigan, who is coming off a 15-win season that culminated in a Big Ten Tournament title, will be a tough task for the postseason hopefuls in State College.
Late in the season, Penn State travels to Lock Haven, a local rivalry matchup against a rebuilding team. Then they’ll face Princeton, the Ivy League regular season champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier. The Nittany Lions faced the Tigers in 2024, with Penn State taking a 3-2 win at home.
The 2025 regular season culminates on Oct. 31 at home against Rutgers, who finished 8-9 in 2024, but reached the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. With standouts like Paulina Niklaus returning, the Scarlet Knights are a battle-tested squad that could determine Penn State’s postseason fate.
With a schedule packed with ranked opponents, fierce rivalries and high-stakes matchups, Penn State should enter 2025 with both urgency and excitement for what’s to come.
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