Penn State field hockey dropped to No. 11 in the Division I National Field Hockey Coaches Association, the organization announced Tuesday. The Nittany Lions fell six spots from their previous preseason position at No. 5.

The ranking comes after the Nittany Lions split their first four games of the season. Penn State lost its opening game 2-1 against Virginia in Charlottesville on August 25 but bounced back in a 3-2 overtime win against American in Washington, D.C.

Things went similarly on their West Coast trip, as the Nittany Lions lost 3-2 in double overtime against California on September 1, but followed up with a 5-1 victory at Stanford on September 3.

Senior Sophia Gladieux leads the team with five goals and 10 points in the first four matchups. Meanwhile, fellow senior Carly Gannon leads the Nittany Lions in assists.

Fellow ranked in the Big Ten are Iowa (No. 1), Northwestern (No. 3), Maryland (No. 4), Michigan (No. 8), Rutgers (No. 12), and Ohio State (No. 18).

Penn State’s next game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, September 8 against Kent State in Happy Valley.

About the Author

Nolan Wick

Nolan wrote for Onward State from 2021 until 2025. He mainly covered Penn State football, men’s hockey, and baseball, and he was also an associate editor. A Silver Spring, Maryland, native, Nolan is an avid D.C. sports and Liverpool fan. You can follow him on Twitter @nolan_wick.

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