Penn State Field Hockey

Kent, OH - September 13, 2024: The Penn State field hockey team scored three goals in the fourth period to defeat Kent State on the road 4-1. Penn State controlled the ball for most of the game and pressed often but Kent State’s defense was able to thwart the Nittany Lions and hold them scoreless in the first period. In the second period, after a third penalty corner in a row, Penn State’s Sophia Mannino, a senior from Central Bucks East (PA) High School, found the back of the net after taking a pass from teammate Phia Gladieux. Early in the third period, Penn State appeared to take a 2-0 lead when Mannino pushed a shot between the goalie’s legs but it was reviewed and waived off. Kent State then pressured Penn State and after a penalty corner, tied the match when Emma Rolston, a junior from Greenwood (PA) High School, knocked the ball in after a shot attempt rebounded off the post. Penn State’s Ella Jennes in the fourth period put the Nittany Lions ahead for good when she moved the ball along the baseline and took an angled shot that went between the goalie’s legs, Penn State 2-1. Shortly thereafter, the Nittany Lions were awarded a penalty shot and Gladieux, a senior from Oley Valley (PA) High School, blazed a shot past Kent State’s goalie for a 3-1 lead. Gladieux would add her second goal later in the same period. Penn State took 28 shots, had 14 penalty corners, and had 2 saves. Kent State took 5 shots, had 2 penalty corners, and had 16 saves. Penn State improved to 2-3 overall while Kent State fell to 0-6. To show how Pennsylvania is one of the top states as far as field hockey talent goes, the two teams combined for a total of 24 student-athletes who hailed from Pennsylvania high schools. The below photo shows Gladieux being congratulated by teammates after her first goal.