No. 8 Virginia falls in OT against No. 16 Penn State

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 8 Virginia field hockey team lost its season opener against No. 16 Penn State with the Nittany Lions winning 3-2 in overtime on Friday at Turf Field.

Penn State took a 1-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on a penalty corner midway through the period. Senior back Amber Ezechiels tied the game with 2:39 remaining in the first half, smashing in a shot after a Virginia penalty corner. Penn State again pushed ahead in the final seconds of the third quarter. Junior midfielder Adele Iacobucci tied the game for UVA on another penalty corner midway through the fourth period.

Penn State scored the game-winner 4:01 into extra time when Emma Spisak took off on a breakaway. She got into the circle and passed the ball to a wide-open Jemma Punch who converted the opportunity and ended the game.