After a 2-0 weekend at the Terrapin Invitational, No. 10 Maryland field hockey has finally reached conference play and is entering a challenging Big Ten slate that consists of six ranked matchups.
The Terps begin the test Friday when they face off against No. 16 Penn State. The game will begin at 5 p.m. and stream on Big Ten Plus.
No. 16 Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
2024 Record:
8-9, 2-6 Big TenAfter missing the conference and NCAA Tournaments in 2024, Penn State is rejuvenated and currently on a four-game win streak. With head coach
Lisa Bervinchak Love at the helm, the Nittany Lions have clear momentum thus far, beating two teams in overtime.
Players to watch
Natalie Freeman, junior midfielder/forward, No. 1 — Freeman has started and played in every game this season — the same can be said for every season she’s been with Penn State.
The Ellicott City, Maryland native currently holds the highest shots-on-goal percentage on her team, with an accuracy of 71.4%.
Josephine “Joji” Purdy, freshman forward/midfielder, No. 7 — Purdy has more than established herself as a Nittany Lion already. As a high school senior, the forward/midfielder was selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-America first team, as well as to the NEXUS Championship. She is currently Penn State’s leading scorer with three goals.
Morgan Snyder, sophomore defender, No. 8 — As a freshman, Snyder made a tangible impact, starting in 16 of 17 games. The sophomore currently leads the team in assists and penalty shots. Her last goal contributed to Penn State’s win against Kent State last week.
Strength
Goalscoring. Penn State has outscored its opponents by two total goals, only four short of Maryland. With a shot-on-goal percentage of 58.6% that’s greater than Maryland’s current 53.4%, the Terps will have to be staunch around the net in order to stop the Nittany Lions’ potent attack.
Weakness
Defensive depth. Snyder is the only true defender on the roster who has played in all their eligible seasons. The other three of four defenders missed seasons due to redshirting or injury. Penn State may have to heavily rely on Snyder and her past conference gameplay experience to face Maryland’s offense.
Three things to know
1. A hard-fought history. The Terps are 9-8 all-time against the Nittany Lions. Maryland won the last two matchups.
2. A Big Ten Tradition. Maryland has played Penn State every year since it has been in the Big Ten Conference. The Terps won the first battle, 4-3.
3. A battle of rankings. Every faceoff between Penn State and Maryland has been a ranked matchup, which has led to some entertaining bouts, and should lead to another Friday.
