No. 9 Penn State Upsets No. 3 Wake Forest, 2-0, to Advance to NCAA Championship
11/16/2007 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 16, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md.- The ninth-ranked Penn State field hockey team won another stunner to advance to the NCAA championship game, toppling No. 3 Wake Forest, 2-0, at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex Friday evening. The Nittany Lions improved to 16-7 on the season, while Wake Forest's record fell to 16-6. Penn State will take on top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 18, at noon for the national title.
Penn State got on the board early, with a penalty corner conversion in the 14th minute by Mallory Weisen. Jen Long and Allison Scola were credited with the assists.
The two teams battled long into the second half, until Shaun Banta upped the Nittany Lions' lead with an unassisted goal at the 59:28 mark. Banta stole the ball at the 25-yard line, taking it to the baseline for the score.
Penn State connected on two of only four shots. Wake Forest outshot the Nittany Lions, 8-4, including a 6-2 shot advantage in the second half.
Goalkeeper Jen Beaumont made four saves between the pipes for the Nittany Lions while holding Wake Forest scoreless in a full-game effort. The Demon Deacons' Crystal Duffield saved one and allowed two for the game.
Tickets to the National Championship game can be purchased online at www.umterps.com or at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on game day. Parking for the event is free. Fans can also watch Penn State take on North Carolina on CSTV.
The top senior field hockey athletes in the nation will converge in College Park on Saturday, Nov. 17, for the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Senior All-Star games, slated for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. Admission to the all-star games is free.
GOALS: PSU, Mallory Weisen (Jen Long, Allison Scola), 14:03, Shaun Banta (un), 59:28. SHOTS: PSU 4, WFU 8. PENALTY CORNERS: PSU 4, WFU 3. SAVES: PSU, Jen Beaumont 4 (0 GA, 70:00); WFU, Crystal Duffield 1 (2 GA, 70:00).
