[ Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 ]
No. 5 field hockey pulls out victory against Syracuse
By BRAD STRATTON
Collegian Staff Writer
The No. 5 Lady Lions used a steady rainfall and a strong defensive effort to defeat No. 19 Syracuse 5-0 last night in a game closer than the final score suggested.
"I'd much rather play in the rain than on a sunny day," Penn State field hockey coach Char Morett said, "The field was much faster and that was to our advantage."
It must have been.
The Lions (8-2) scored early and often and goalkeeper Heidi Leuchte made a couple key saves to lead the team to victory.
Leuchte, a redshirt freshman, made three big saves, as Syracuse (6-4) attacked the Lions' goal with 10 shots.
But Leuchte turned the Orangwomen away each time and earned her fifth shutout of the season.
"Heidi did a great job," Morett said. "Anytime you have a shutout, you've obviously done a good job. I thought she had some key saves in the first half, not to let them in the game."
PHOTO: Frank Singley
Penn State’s Nora Graber smacks the ball downfield last night against the Orangewoman. Penn State walked away victorious from the 5-0 contest, which was held at the Bigler Athletic Complex, and will ride into this weekend with more confidence.
The Lions scored the opening goal just 1:22 into the game, and never let go. They would score four more times, including two goals by sophomore Kiley Kulina.
Lions senior Traci Anselmo, who also scored on a penalty corner for her ninth goal of the season, assisted on both Kulina goals.
Despite the output, Anselmo wasn't too pleased with her performance.
"I could have done better," she said.
As usual, senior Tracey Larson was there to make two assists in the game. Her first assist was on Anselmo's goal and her second was on a tally by junior Lindsey Gehris with 29:03 remaining in the contest.
Maegan Galie added the last goal with 6:49 remaining. The Orangewomen were forced to switch goalies 20 minutes into the game.
After starting goalie Sara Clapp allowed goals on the first two shots by the Lions, freshman Cecily Cowburn came in to replace Clapp. She made seven saves in the final 50 minutes.
Penn State returns to action this weekend, hosting No. 13 Michigan State tomorrow and No. 10 Michigan on Sunday.
"This was a good confidence booster," Leuchte said, "and hopefully we'll practice hard tomorrow. We have a big weekend."
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Copyright © 2000 Collegian Inc.
Updated 1999-9-30 0:58:11 -4
Requested 2000-8-17 5:53:42 -4
URL: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/1999/09/09-30-99tdc/09-30-99dsports-4.asp