Today's Game: Today's game is just one in a storied history between these two teams. In the 39th meeting, Penn State is looking to post its longest win streak since 1993. West Chester is hoping to snap a two-game losing skid at the campus of Messiah College. It will be a difficult task because the Lions have not lost to the Golden Rams since 1988.
Penn State Coach's Chair: Head coach Charlene Morett is in her 14th season at the Lady Lion helm and 17th overall. She boasts an overall record of 264-87-16 and a 227-71-8 record at Penn State. Last year, Morett reached yet another milestone, winning the 250th game of her career (10/15/99 vs. Northwestern). She guided Penn State to its 18th-straight NCAA Tournament and the 13th under her guidance. Her 1999 Lady Lions received 17 postseason honors, including Big Ten Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year (Tracey Larson), and four were named USFHA All-Americans. The Lions also reached No. 1 in the first poll of the season last year. Since entering the Big Ten in 1992, Morett's teams have garned three conference titles and an unprecedented four straight tournament titles from 1995-98.
WCU Head Coach: In her 16th season as head coach of the Golden Rams, Karen Krannebitter led West Chester to back-to-back Atlantic 10 regular season titles in 1997 and 1998. The 1997 National Field Hockey Associations Mideast Region Coach of the Year and A-10 Coach of the year, she has posted an overall record of 158-135-15. A 1995 graduate of WCU, Krannebitter became the school's all-time leader in wins in 1990.
Scouting WCU: One of the top teams in the Atlantic 10, West Chester is 7-6 overall after losing two games in a row to No. 10 Virginia (1-0) and Soutwest Missouri (1-0). The Golden Rams played Syracuse earlier in the season and won, 3-2, in New York.
Three upperclassmen lead the way for West Chester. Senior back Marisa Mitchell and junior forward Lindsay Gordon each pace the Ram-attack with six goals apiece, with Mitchell tallying two goals to her credit for a team-high 14 points. Senior forward Kim Rochon has posted five goals and an assist.
Junior Joelle Maguire is WCU's lone goalkeeper. She has earned two shutouts with an impressive 1.22 goals against average.
PSU vs. WCU: There is plenty to say about this annual rivalry. Dating back to 1965, West Chester is Penn State's oldest opponent. In 38 meetings, the Lions have claimed 22 wins, with just one game resulting in a tie. The Rams won the first 13 of 16 games, but since 1988, the Lady Lions have won 12 straight, and the last 20 of 22 games. The Lions have not given up a goal to WCU in the last two meetings, winning by a combined 9-0. and have allowed just three goals since 1988.
PSU vs. West Chester Game-By-Game
Date Site W/L Score Oct. 16, 1965 A L 0-6 1965 A L 0-11 Nov. 08, 1966 H L 0-3 Nov. 07, 1967 A L Oct. 12, 1968 H L Nov. 13, 1969 A W 1-0 Nov. 03, 1970 H L 0-4 Nov. 02, 1971 A L 0-4 Nov. 12, 1972 H L 0-1 Nov. 01, 1973 A T 1-1 Oct. 15, 1974 H L 0-1 Oct. 30, 1975 A L 0-2 Nov. 06, 1976 H L 0-3 Nov. 05, 1977 A L 1-2 Oct. 26, 1978 H W 3-1 Oct. 20, 1979 A L 1-3 Nov. 02, 1980 H W 2-0 Oct. 27, 1981 A W 6-1 Oct. 26, 1982 H W 2-0 Oct. 25, 1983 A W 2-1 Oct. 23, 1984 H W 3-0 Nov. 07, 1985 H W 2-1 Nov. 04, 1986 A W(ot) 3-2 Nov. 15, 1986 H1 W(4ot) 2-1 Nov. 03, 1987 H L 0-1 Nov. 14, 1987 A1 L 0-2 Nov. 01, 1988 A W(ot) 1-0 Oct. 29, 1989 H W 3-0 Oct. 27, 1990 A W 3-1 Oct. 27, 1991 H W 5-0 Nov. 03, 1992 H W 2-0 Oct. 28, 1993 A W 3-0 Sept.0 7, 1994 H W 3-0 Sept. 10, 1995 A W(ot) 1-0 Sept. 25, 1996 H W 5-1 Sept. 06, 1997 A W 5-1 Sept. 16, 1998 H W 4-0 Sept. 15, 1999 H W 5-0 1 NCAA First Round
When Last They Met: Penn State's top-ranked field hockey team celebrated its first day as the nation's No. 1 team with a 5-0 win over visiting West Chester. The Lions got a big night from Tracey Larson who had a goal and tied a Bigler Field record for the second time with three assists, all in the first half. Larson fed Meredith Shulzitski and Traci Anselmo in addition to scoring a solo goal. In the second half, Nora Graber connected after an assist by Kiley Kulina. Robinson, a defesnisive specialist who scored her first career goal, said being No. 1 added to the team's preparation. "We have a little more pep in our step but there's a target on out chest. Everybody is out to get you." Goalkeeper Heidi Leuchte played the first 35 minutes and Julie Sposito finished the shutout in the second half. West Chester, held without a shot in the first half, came to life in the second period forcing six corner and managing five shots. WCU goalkeeper Joelle Maguire made two saves.
Last Time Out: Penn State easily picked up its eighth-consecutive victory over Big Ten opponent Indiana, 9-0. Seven different Lions tallied a goal in the win. Hoosier goalkeeper Molly Pulkrabek had a solid outing for the first-year program. She recorded seven saves. Traci Anselmo's goal off of a pass by Kiley Kulina was the first of nine and the only one that the Lady Lions would need would need for the victory. A number of Lions recorded some firsts. Emily Will posted her first-career goal on a penalty stroke, while Emily Kingsbury also tallied her first goal with 33:14 left in the game. Defender Jill MArtz broke through for the first goal of her career, as well, connecting on a pass by Anselmo. Anselmo's two goals moves her passed head coach Charlene Morett on Penn State's all-time goals list. Anselmo now has 51 career goals and is fifth all-time.
8 And Counting...: The Lady Lions' current win streak of eight games is the longest since 1998. That season, the Lions stretched the streak to eight games before faltering in the NCAA Tourament quarterfinals. Penn State went on to win the Big Ten regular season and tournament crowns, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, losing to Princeton, 3-1. The longest win streak in Penn State history was back in 1993 when the Lions won 15-straight games. The Lions longest unbeaten streak was in 1980 when the team went 22-0-2 and claimed its first national title.
At Home: The Lady Lions have been tough to beat at home. In the program's 36-year history, it has notched a 214-42-13 record. Penn State has been even better since moving to Bigler Field from Holuba Field in 1996. The Lions have won 38 of 44 games and set the school record with 25 straight-home wins last year. The streak spanned 1997-99.
Anselmo Tabbed Top Penn State Fall Athlete: In a web site fan poll administered by www.GoPSUsports.com , the fans voted senior co-captain Traci Anselmo Penn State's Top Fall Athlete. Anslemo won the poll by a large margin, garnering 41.5% of the votes. She led women's soccer star Christie Welsh (23.8), men's soccer standout Derek Potteiger (14.6), cross country runner Chris McGinness (12.9) and NCAA Championship volleyball team member Mishka Levy (7.2).
Galie Named Player of the Week: For the third time this season a Lady Lion has been honored for her play on the field. Senior Maegan Galie notched the game-tying and game-winning goals in the 3-2 overtime win at No. 18 Michigan State. Her efforts in that game earned her Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. It is the first time she receives the honor this season. She leads the team in assists and is second in scoring.
Anselmo Named Player of the Week: Senior co-captain Traci Anselmo had a breakout weekend at Connecticut and Boston College. During that weekend, she notched 11 points which led to Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week laurels for the first time this season. She led the team to a 5-4 victory against the Huskies with four goals. Against the Eagles, Anselmo recorded a goal and an assist. The 1999 All-American was named Big Ten Player of the Week and National Player of the Week once last season en route to a slew of honors.
Zinkavich Named Player of the Week: Redshirt freshman Annie Zinkavich made her first collegiate appearance in the Lady Lions' season opener against Old Dominion. In 44 minutes of playing time, Zinkavich did not give up an ODU goal and made six saves. The following day against Kent State, she earned her first career start and posted her first career shutout in 70 minutes. Her performances earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first week of the season. Currently, she is ranked 11th nationally with a 1.14 goals against average. Statistics and rankings are as of 10/3.
Among the Big Ten Leaders (as of 9/26): Two Lady Lions can be found among the Big Ten's top 10 scoring leaders. Senior Traci Anselmo's 20 points (8 goals, 4 assists) is tied for sixth in the conference, while classmate Maegan Galie is in a tie for 10th with 14 points (4 goals, 6 assists).
The Nation's Leaders: As of October 3, the Penn State field hockey team figures prominently among the nation's best in several statistical categories. The Lions' winning percentage of .800 is ninth-best in the country, while the scoring offense is ranked 16th, 2.69 goals per game in 10 contests. The Lady Lion defense is among the best, placing 15th at 1.35. Penn State's victory margin of 1.34 is also ranked 15th.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Annie Zinkavich is the only Lady Lion to rank in an indvidual category. Her 1.14 goals against average is 11th in the nation.
Century Mark: With two assists in the 4-0 win over St. Joseph's, senior co-captain Traci Anselmo became the 12th Lady Lion to ever register 100 career points. She moves passed 1999 Big Ten Player of the Year Tracey Larson and into eighth place with a total of 121 points. Her five goals at Connecticut (4) and at Boston College (1) not only puts her in the top 10 on Penn State's career goals list, but she catapulted up the charts and is ranked fifth all-time with 51 career goals. She edges head coach Charlene Morett who tallied 50 goals in her four-year career as a Lion and is in sixth.
Approaching the Top: Senior Maegan Galie ranks among the best field hockey players in Penn State history. She moved into the top 10 on Penn State's career goals list earlier this season and her two goals at Michigan State moved her passed 1998 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Dawn Lammey into ninth with 46. She is already in the top 10 in career assists and career points. She tied with 1999 Big Ten Player of the Year Tracey Larson and has 43 (7th) after picking up two against Indiana. Seventh all-time with 135 career points, Galie is just five points behind Brenda Stauffer '82.
Meanwhile, senior co-captain Traci Anselmo moved into the top 10 in goals and points this season as well. Two goals against the Hoosiers put her in fifth place with 51 career goals edging out head coach Charlene Morett (50). She moved passed Larson on the career points list and is in eighth place with 121.
New Faces: There are several new faces on the squad this year. Redshirt freshmen Annie Zinkavich, Timarie Legel and Heather Conroy have gotten their opportunity to show their stuff after sitting out all of the 1999 campaign. Zinkavich earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after outstanding play in the net against Old Dominion and Kent State. Conroy notched the first two goals of her career in the win over St. Joseph's, and Legel also recorded her first career goal in that same game. Neilye Stoner is the only true freshman to get any playing time. She has started every game but two, picked up the first assist of her career against the Hawks, and tallied two goals in the win over Iowa, including her first as a Lady Lion.
Lions Represent the U.S.: A number of Lady Lions represented the United States in the spring and summer of 2000. The Big Ten's 1999 Player of the Year and former Lion Tracey Larson secured a spot on the U.S. National Squad for the second straight year. Senior Maegan Galie was named to the Under 21 squad in February and then moved up to the Developmental squad that toured Canada this summer. Senior co-captain Traci Anselmo was again a member of the Senior Reserve Team, while junior Kiley Kulina and sophomore Jill Martz were both members of the Under 21 team.
Tough Slate: The Lady Lions have traditionally taken on one of the toughest schedules in the nation, and the 2000 campaign is no different. Appearing on the schedule are seven of last year's 16 NCAA Tournament teams (ODU, Kent State, Iowa, Michigan, UVA, UNC, UConn). Big Ten foe Michigan was an NCAA finalist. Ten of the 20 teams ranked in this week's STX/NFHCA National Coaches polls are Penn State opponents, including six of the top 10.
On Deck: Penn State completes a three-game homestand on Wednesday, October 11. The Lions and the Bison rekindle an old rivalry. The squads battled every season with the exception of one from 1965-91, but have not met since. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Lady Lions on the Air: Catch the Lady Lions live on the radio at WMAJ 1450 AM or on Penn State's official athletics web site at www.GoPSUsports.com four times this season. The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 27, Old Dominion, 11:00 a.m.
Sept. 10, St. Joseph's, 12 p.m.
Oct. 4, Temple, 6 p.m.
Oct. 25, at Pennsylvania, 7 p.m.
