Third-Ranked Virginia Drops 3-0 Decision to No. 8 Penn State

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The third-ranked Virginia field hockey dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 8 Penn State Sunday at the University Hall Turf Field. The Cavaliers were outshot 14-9 in the contest.

It marked the first non-conference setback for Virginia since a 1-0 loss at Penn State on Oct. 12, 2008.

“We couldn’t get our passing game going,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “We got a little away from the game today; we didn’t have great structure. We played like everyone was alone out there and we have to play more together.”

Both squads notched eight penalty corners. All eight of Virginia’s corners were taken in the second half.

Penn State’s Lauren Purvis tallied the first goal, unassisted from the right side in open space, in the 17th minute. It was the lone score on the first half as the Nittany Lions owned a 1-0 lead at halftime.

“Penn State came out and played a very physical game,” Madison said. “We definitely weren’t ready for that.”

Jenna Chrismer made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute and Hannah Allison rounded out the Nittany Lion scoring on a penalty corner in the 54th minute.

Virginia freshman Jenny Johnstone played the entire game in the cage and finished with seven saves. Penn State’s Ayla Halus tallied five stops.

The Cavaliers hit the road Friday for a 3 p.m. game vs. Towson. The game will be held on the Maryland campus in College Park, Md.