EVANSTON, Ill., November 2, 2001 - The fifth seeded Nittany Lion field hockey team fell to #4 Iowa and was eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament, 3-2, in overtime on Friday afternoon in Evanston, Ill. The loss ends Penn State's eight-game win streak which dated back to Oct. 7. Penn State (13-7) took a 1-0 lead with 21:58 left in the opening period. Senior Meredith Shulzitski (Harlyesville, Pa./Souderton) scored an unassisted goal to put the Lions ahead. The Hawkeyes (12-4) responded when Patie Gillern connected with Sarah Dawson for the score with just over two minutes left in the half. With the score tied at the break, Gillern came through for Iowa once again, this time tallying a goal to give the Hawkeyes the lead. Iowa held a 2-1 lead until the final 42 seconds of the game when Big Ten Player of the Year Kiley Kulina (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) sent the game into overtime scoring on a penalty corner. The Hawkeyes wasted no time, however, as Gillern scored the game-winning goal just 1:38 into the overtime period. Penn State outshot the Hawkeyes, 14-12, but failed to capitalize on 10 penalty corners, converting on just one. This is the first time since the Big Ten Tournament began that the Nittany Lions do not earn a spot in the semifinals. Penn State will be looking for its 20th-consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. The NCAA announces the tournament bracket along with at-large bids over the internet at www.ncaachampionships.com on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. #5 Penn State (12-7) 1 1 0 -- 2 SHOTS: PSU 14, Iowa 12 SCORING SUMMARY
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