March 18, 2011
By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - One half into Penn State's home win over Hofstra Wednesday night, it looked like we were in for a back and forth battle, it turns out nobody gave Penn State's offense the memo.
The Lions turned up the heat in the second half to turn a 5-3 halftime lead into a 16-7 win that included a stretch where the home team scored nine straight goals.
Coach Missy Doherty was extremely happy with the win after the game. Repeating multiple times how awesome this win was for her team.
"We've been trying to get our attack together moving the ball, working as a unit and you could definitely see that tonight," Doherty said, talking about the offensive execution.
Senior Jen Steadman thought she saw some big improvements in the team against the Pride. The offensive attacker thought the team worked very well in moving the ball down the field in transition and passing well which provided more opportunities for the whole team.
The Lions were able to out shoot the Pride 37-17 and really put the pressure on with great looks at the net all game which Doherty called "overall a great full 60 minutes."
Penn State dominated in almost every statistical category including ground balls, draws controlled and having fewer turnovers.
Jen Steadman led the strong offensive attack with five goals for the Lions. That was followed closely by Laura Lesnick and Molly Fernandez with three goals each. In total the team had seven players score at least one goal.
"Jenny was great," Doherty said, adding, "she was working well within the offense, she took her opportunities when she saw them, she was smart with the ball and her success was the product of the attack really playing well."
Fernandez gave the whole offense credit for her three goals, "I think our whole attack was doing really well with passing and assisting which is why my goals went well, as well as the whole teams."
Steadman talked about a team effort being key to both her and the rest of the offense's success.
"It was definitely a team effort," Steadman said, also saying, "I think we definitely got the ball moving a lot faster and we were all just working well together."
With the win behind them the team is looking forward to their first conference game, home this Sunday against Vanderbilt.
"It's a huge game, it's our first conference game, the girls are up for it, we're ready and this game was a great way to get better for our big game Sunday," Doherty said, talking about their upcoming game.
Steadman talked about her big expectations for their upcoming game. "It definitely will be a tough game, but I think we'll be ready," she said, also saying how she expects a win for the Lions.
Fernandez mentioned how it was a huge win and it can help them moving forward. She mentioned how a strong win and being up so many goals and keeping the lead would really help for when they go down to Vanderbilt and if they get in any tough situations.
Doherty talked about the momentum they are gaining adding how she definitely thought the win gave them momentum and they are just trying to get better. The win really seemed to show them just how good the Lions can be when they play together.
Steadman knew this game was big for their confidence moving forward and is seeing they are starting to play better every game, which is important with conference play coming up this weekend.
With their confidence sky high and their offense on a roll the team definitely is hitting their stride heading into the middle of their schedule.
