Oct. 5, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's field hockey team played inspired defense against one of the most explosive offenses in the Big Ten, falling to Penn State 1-0 in overtime. Nittany Lion midfielder Amanda Eckert took control of a loose ball in front of the NU goal six minutes into overtime, firing a low, hard shot into the goal for the win. The loss drops NU to 4-6 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Penn State improves to 9-1, 2-1.
The story of the game was the NU defense. Penn State had 15 penalty corners, compared to NU's one, while outshooting the Wildcats 14-1. Senior goalkeeper Kendra Mesa (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand), who made her first start of the season, saved five shots in the match. The Wildcat corner defense stymied the powerful Penn State penalty corner attack as three different Wildcat defenders registered defensive saves.
In other news, freshman Kristin Provencher (North Conway, N.H./Kennett) made her first collegiate start, taking the field with her sister Diane Provencher (North Conway, N.H./Kennett) in the backfield.