Summer has started, and so have preparations for Penn State’s 2025 field hockey season. New and returning Nittany Lions are set to take the turf in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the season opener against the Cavaliers on August 29.
With anticipation mounting, there is plenty awaiting in regards to gameplay and growth.
New and returning
Penn State picks up a set of nine incoming freshmen, adding to the already skill-packed roster of returning members.
Coming from Loysville, Pennsylvania, Autumn Albright is a strong addition to Penn State’s offensive attack. The 5-foot-9 midfielder reached the 100 point mark during her senior run and could be an asset to the blue and white’s scoring capabilities.
On the defensive, the Nittany Lions bring in Mia Clarkson, a 5-foot-8 goalie from Virginia Beach. Clarkson was a member of TCOYO Hockey’s U19 team alongside fellow Penn State commits Joji Purdy and Cooper Cutchins.
Midfielder and returning Nittany Lion Sophia Mannino will head into the upcoming term as the new leading scorer from the previous season following Sophia Gladieux and Julienne van Bekkum’s exits. Mannino starred in 17 matches during her junior year and added seven points off three goals and one assist.
Goalkeeper Aby Deverka (13) stands in front of goal during the Penn State field hockey game against Virginia at the Field Hockey Complex on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Cavaliers beat the Nittany Lions 2-1.
Chris Eutsler
During her freshman season with Penn State in 2024, netminder Aby Deverka had a successful rookie run, recording 68 saves in just 12 contests. A reliable final line of defense, Deverka looks poised to help lead the Nittany Lions to domination this fall.
Gameplay
Concluding the previous season with a 8-9 overall and 2-6 conference record, Penn State’s outcome a year ago fell short of expectations. But with new and returning talent stacking the roster, there is plenty of promise brewing.
Closing out the 2024 season, the blue and white ceded a 4-2 match to then No. 7 Maryland. With the assistance of key players like Gladieux, the Nittany Lions were able to stay above water for much of the match.
A common denominator in previous losses that Penn State will need to focus on in its upcoming campaign is closing contests. In the most crucial minutes, the blue and white will need to shift whatever power it has left into coming out on top.
In a similarly scheduled opening campaign against Virginia in the previous season, Penn State dropped a tied match when the Cavaliers secured a fourth quarter goal to propel them to a 2-1 victory.
If the Nittany Lions hope to take the victory this time around in the opening contest this season, keeping strong offensive and defensive energy until the very last seconds will be critical.
High-stakes matchups
Although the Nittany Lions are preparing to bring their all this season, they aren’t the only ones. Among a packed schedule, Penn State will face many formidable opponents like Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern and Iowa.
Forward/midfielder Julia Lamb (7) hits a reverse towards the cage during Penn State’s field hockey game against Michigan State at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Spartans 2-1 in overtime.
Jake Brook
Previously falling to those four competitors, the blue and white has different areas to work on in order to secure an alternate outcome. Michigan won a 6-0 shutout with much success coming from its 15 shots compared to Penn State’s eight.
Outrunning Penn State’s defense and peppering shots at the net proved monumental for the six different players that contributed to Michigan’s victory. Similarly, the blue and white fell to Northwestern in a 7-2 match, dominated by the Wildcats’ 29 shot attempts.
If the Nittany Lions hope to avenge last season’s contests, getting more shots in will be a fundamental goal. Opening up more opportunities to shoot will inevitably create more windows of goal-scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead to the opening contest against Virginia, signs point to early pressure being an area of focus. A quick first-quarter goal by the Cavaliers last season set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Although Penn State was able to tie the match at one point, Virginia brought it home in the final quarter. Controlling the tempo with a strong start could give the blue and white the energy it needs to tilt the remaining momentum in its favor.
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