Oct. 7, 2011
By Cassie Speno, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State Nittany Lions (9-3, 2-0) will look to build off the momentum of their seventh straight win going into Friday's contest against the Indiana Hoosiers (7-3, 1-1).
Even after a big defeat against the Villanova Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon, the team knows there are still adjustments that need to be made with the Big Ten title hanging in the balance.
"The goals were great," said head coach Charlene Morett. "It would have been nicer to play a little sharper against Villanova. I think on defense at times we got a bit careless. So this week we sharpened up our practices."
Junior, Kelsey Amy, who scored the first three goals against the Wildcats, is proud the team played well and won, but knows the team did not play to their full potential on Tuesday.
"I think we could have played a little better," said Amy. "I am little disappointed we let Villanova score two goals, but a win is a win. We are coming together as a team, different people are scoring goals from different angles, which are all good things."
With six regular season games left in the season and four being against Big Ten opponents, the Nittany Lions have their eyes on the prize. At this point in the season the squad knows if it are going to win the next six games and continue onto the title, teamwork and focus are the keys to their success.
"Our biggest motivator this season has been winning the Big Ten title," said Amy. "We haven't won the title in awhile, so as a team that is something we have really been focusing on. Winning Big Tens would be a testament to how hard we have worked this season."
The focal points of practice at this point in the season are passing and transferring. Morett believes the team in order to be successful in Friday's contest needs to capitalize after transferring the ball and recognize when the opponents defense has shifted.
After a tough week of practice, the Nittany Lions are ready to face the Indiana Hoosiers for the 17th time in history and hope to add another victory to their 13-3 series advantage. Tune into Gametracker at 3 p.m. to cheer on the Lions as they face their third Big Ten opponent this season.
Penn State hosts the 2011 Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament from Nov. 3-6. Tickets for the Big Ten Tournament can be purchased by contacting the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office at 814-865-5555. All session passes are $18 for adults and $12 for students/senior citizens. Single session tickets will run at $8 for adults and $5 for students/senior citizens. Groups of 15 people or more may also purchase tickets at $12 for all session passes and $5 for a single session.
