Wolverines Fall to Host Penn State in Big Ten Quarterfinals

Thursday, November 7

State College, Pa.

11:00 AM

Michigan

(13-6)

Penn State

(7-11)

Michigan

Penn State

Wolverines Fall to Host Penn State in Big Ten Quarterfinals

11/7/2019 2:06:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 10 Michigan could not complete a late rally in a 2-1 defeat to Penn State in its Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal.
» After a scoreless first half, Penn State scored on back-to-back penalty corner attempts early in the third quarter in a span of less than three minutes.
» Halle O'Neill scored U-M's goal late in the third quarter on a direct penalty corner shot; Michigan outshot the Nittany Lions, 9-4, while corners were even at 4-4.

Site: State College, Pa. (PSU Field Hockey Complex)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Quarterfinals)
Score: Penn State 2, #10 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (13-6), PSU (7-11)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 10 -- NCAA Selection Show (NCAA.com), 10 p.m.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team mounted a rally but could not overcome its initial deficit in a 2-1 loss against Penn State in the Big Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday morning (Nov. 7) at the PSU Field Hockey Complex.

After a scoreless first half, the Nittany Lions used their penalty-corner attack to score twice on back-to-back attempts early in the third quarter. Paitlyn Wirth notched the game's first goal at the 32:03 mark after U-M could not clear off the initial shot and save; Wirth knocked in the rebound from the right side. Penn State struck again less than three minutes later, on its next corner at 34:26. Meghan Reese tipped in the shot from near the right-side post.

Michigan used its own penalty corner to cut the deficit late in the third quarter, at 39:37, as junior Halle O'Neill converted on the direct shot for her second marker of the season. O'Neill received the insert on the right side of the scoring arc, took a couple steps into the circle and hammered a shot that deflected off a PSU defender and in.

The Wolverines continued to pressure in the fourth quarter with several good chances right in front. They pulled sophomore goalkeeper Anna Spieker for an extra attacker in the waning minutes of the frame but could not capitalize. It is Michigan's first quarterfinal exit from the Big Ten Tournament since 2013.

Michigan outshot the Nittany Lions, 9-4, and corners were an even 4-4. Spieker earned one save in the Wolverine cage, while Penn State goalkeeper Brie Barraco stopped eight of nine U-M shots on goal.

Michigan will await the NCAA Tournament selections on Sunday (Nov. 10) at 10 p.m. The 16-team tournament opens with first- and second-round matches Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-17, at four campus sites to be announced. The selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com.