NORFOLK, Va. – The 16th-ranked Old Dominion field hockey team opened its season in comeback fashion, posting a 2-1 victory over the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions of Penn State on Friday night at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
After a strong defensive showing from both teams in the first 20 minutes, Penn State struck first when Stephanie Hussey dribbled her way into the circle and found the back of the cage for her first goal of the season at the 26:36 mark.
Old Dominion kept its composure and mounted a counter attack four minutes later and was awarded its second penalty corner of the match. Freshman Chrissy Horn initiated the corner and sent the ball to junior Catalina Barahona who set the ball for senior Emily Harting at the top of the circle. Harting swung hard and sent the ball flying over the outstretched Penn State goalie and knotted the game at 1-1 with 10 minutes left in the first half.
Neither team would score the rest of the period, as the teams headed to the locker room with the score tied at 1-1.
Penn State opened the second half with an attacking mindset and was awarded five penalty corners in a row, however, the ODU defense held strong and did not let the Nittany Lions capitalize.
Both teams would go back and forth for the next 25 minutes, before ODU scored the game-winning goal at the 64:55 mark. The Lady Monarchs once again scored off a penalty corner, but this time the shot by junior Megan Byas was deflected by sophomore Victoria Rezette into the back of the cage.
Sophomore Kelly Weaver recorded her first collegiate win after playing all 70 minutes in goal and finishing the game with a career-high 10 saves. Jenny Rizzo suffered the loss, finishing the match with four saves.
The ODU offense was led by Harting and Rezette, who each tallied one goal, while Horn, Barahona and Byas posted one assist. Hussey recorded the only goal for Penn State.
The Lady Monarchs will be back in action on Sunday when they host American at 1:00 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
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