No. 24 Field Hockey Falls to No. 8 Penn State

Sunday, September 11

Newark, Del.

12 p.m.

University of Delaware

Penn State

Photo by: Mark Campbell

9/11/2022 2:39:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – No. 24 Delaware field hockey (1-5) dropped a home match 4-2 against No. 8 Penn State (4-1) on Sunday at Rullo Stadium.

"If you want to be the best, you have to play the best, allowing you to grow along the way and play your best hockey at the end of the season," head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said. "This has been Delaware field hockey's approach for many years and seems to work for the Blue Hens. This team was ready to rebound from their loss to UConn and did so today against another top 10 program in Penn State. We learn in September, we master in October and put to work in our November postseason."

The Nittany Lions opened the match with a goal off a penalty stroke at the sixth minute, and added a second goal at the 13^th minute.

Heading into the second half down 2-0, the Blue Hens didn't go down without a fight. Julia Duffhuis and Noelle Sabbagh added goals at the 32^nd and 33^rd minute to tie the match. For Duffhuis, it was her first goal of the season, and assisted by Berber Bakermans, Sabbagh scored her team-leading third goal, and was assisted by Sian Emslie.

PSU retook a lead with a goal at the 36^th minute. The Nittany Lions added an insurance goal at the 49^th minute off another penalty stroke.

PSU out-shot the Blue Hens 12-8, including seven shots on goal to the Blue Hens three. Lizzie Gaebel had the decision and made three saves.

The Blue Hens hit the road next weekend for a pair of non-conference matches against Princeton on Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m. and against Rutgers on Sunday, September 18^th at 1 p.m.