Nov. 10, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md.- The ninth-ranked Penn State field hockey team toppled No. 18 Virginia, 3-2, in a close NCAA First Round battle. The Nittany Lions' record improved to 14-7 on the season, while the Cavaliers dropped to 11-10. Penn State will face second-seeded Maryland on Sunday at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex at 2 p.m.

Virginia led 1-0 at the half, thanks to a penalty corner deflection by Traci Ragukas for a goal in the 23rd minute. Inge KaarSijpestein was credited with the assist.

Britney Long put Penn State on the board just five minutes into the second half with a wide open shot off of an assist by Shaun Banta. Banta would score one of her own five minutes later with an unassisted rebound shot off the penalty corner attempt.

Penn State converted a penalty corner play in the 55th minute, as Allison Scola and Jen Long assisted Mallory Weisen's tenth goal of the season. Virginia launched a comeback attempt with a KaarSijpestein goal from Lucy Meyers at 64:61, but Penn State's defense held off the Cavalier attack for the win.

Penn State's Jen Beaumont saved six in a full-game effort. Amy Desjadon and Devon Burnley combined for Virginia, totaling three saves between them.

#18 Virginia(11-10) 1 1 - 2 #9 Penn State (14-7) 0 3 - 4

GOALS: VA, Traci Ragukas (Inge KaarSijpestein), 23:18, Inge KaarSijpestein (Lucy Meyers), 64:21; PSU, Britney Long (Shaun Banta), 40:52, Mallory Weisen (Allison Scola, Jen Long), 42:27, Shaun Banta (un), 55:34. SHOTS: VA 10, PSU 9. PENALTY CORNERS: VA 4, PSU 6. SAVES: VA, Amy Desjadon 1 (2 GA, 44:56), Devon Burnley 2 (1 GA, 25:04); PSU, Jen Beaumont 6 (2 GA, 70:00). ATTENDANCE: 482.