<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0MISGx_0vk7umDc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0MISGx_0vk7umDc00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>The team celebrates a goal as the opposing team's goalie watches during&nbsp;Penn State field hockey's game against Princeton at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Tigers 3-2. Ella Freda</figcaption></figure>Fresh off of an overtime thriller against Bucknell, Penn State enters the weekend riding a four-game winning streak.The Nittany Lions are set for a busy slate of both conference and nonconference home matchups, starting with Indiana.<h2>Indiana</h2>Penn State’s first challenge comes at 4 p.m. Friday against Big Ten opponent Indiana, which arrives in Happy Valley determined to bounce back after a tough loss to then-No. 1 Northwestern.The Hoosiers narrowly fell to the Wildcats, despite outshooting them 14-12. Junior Greta Hinke scored in the 25th minute for Northwestern, and Indiana couldn’t find the equalizer, keeping the final score at 1-0.Indiana’s offense is led by senior Yip van Wonderen and sophomore Inés Garcia Prado. Playing tight defense with aggressive offense could be enough for the Nittany Lions to withstand the Hoosiers’ threat.Friday’s matchup against Indiana is also set to be a showdown between two standout freshman goalkeepers. Indiana’s Sadie Canelli made three key saves against Northwestern, holding the top-ranked team to just one goal.For the blue and white, Aby Deverka has been a consistent presence in goal, earning two Big Ten weekly honors in her young collegiate career.Despite being freshmen, both Canelli and Deverka have shown poise and experience in goal, facing off on Friday behind their respective teams.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2GYuAN_0vk7umDc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2GYuAN_0vk7umDc00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Midfielder Kerry O'Donnell (6) steals the ball during the Penn State women’s field hockey game against Syracuse at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in University Park, Pa. Syracuse beat Penn State 2-1. Megan Miller</figcaption></figure><h2>Lafayette</h2>No matter the outcome of Friday’s matchup, Penn State will have to quickly turn the page when it welcomes Lafayette into town at 1 p.m. Sunday.Lafayette is 5-2 this season and coming off of a recent win against Holy Cross. The Leopards’ only matchup against a ranked team so far was a narrow 2-1 loss to then-No. 14 Syracuse.Lafayette now faces its second major challenge of the season against No. 19 Penn State.Sunday’s contest marks the second matchup of the weekend for both teams, meaning these squads will have to quickly push through fatigue and bring their best against each other.A focal point for Penn State’s defense is containing senior forward/midfielder Alex Darrah, who’s had a strong start to the season. Darrah’s three goals rank second on Lafayette, just one behind the team’s top scorer, Lineke Spaans.While Lafayette may lack the offensive firepower of its opponent, its clean and consistent play could challenge the Nittany Lions, who have struggled to maintain consistency throughout all four quarters. If the Nittany Lions’ intensity dips for even one quarter, the Leopards are well-positioned to capitalize.Penn State’s Sophia Gladieux, leads the blue and white with 12 goals and 26 points this season. However, the Nittany Lions will need contributions up and down the lineup to secure victories against both Indiana and Lafayette.A successful weekend could extend Penn State’s winning streak to six games and improve its record to 6-3 on the season before the Nittany Lions face three tough Big Ten conference opponents to start October.MORE FIELD HOCKEY CONTENT</div></body>

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Field hockey set to face Indiana, Lafayette in action-packed weekend

Fresh off of an overtime thriller against Bucknell, Penn State enters the weekend riding a four-game winning streak. The Nittany Lions are set for a busy slate of both conference and nonconference home matchups, starting with Indiana. Indiana. Penn State’s first challenge comes at 4 p.m. Friday against Big Ten...