Wolverines Unable to Hold Late Lead in Overtime Loss at No. 7 Penn State

Friday, October 29

State College, Pa.

6:00 PM

Michigan

(13-3, 5-3B1G)

Penn State

(13-4, 6-2B1G)

Michigan

Penn State

Sofia Southam (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Unable to Hold Late Lead in Overtime Loss at No. 7 Penn State

10/29/2021 8:56:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 2 Michigan dropped its regular-season finale at No. 7 Penn State, 3-2, in overtime.
» U-M scored twice on fourth-quarter penalty corners to take a late lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation; PSU evened the score on its own corner goal just 1:08 after.
» Michigan outshot the Nittany Lions 16-7 and outcornered them, 7-3.

Site: State College, Pa. (PSU Field Hockey Complex)
Score: #7 Penn State 3, #2 Michigan 2 (OT)
Records: U-M (13-3, 5-3 B1G), PSU (13-4, 6-2 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Thu-Sun., Nov. 4-7 -- at Big Ten Tournament (Piscataway, N.J.)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team dropped a 3-2 overtime heartbreaker in its regular-season finale at No. 7 Penn State on Friday evening (Oct. 29) at the PSU Field Hockey Complex.

The Wolverines sacrificed a late lead in the contest after rallying to score twice in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Penn State evened the score off a penalty corner just moments later then capitalized on a flurry in the Michigan circle to net the game-winning goal at in overtime at 67:40. PSU's Mackenzie Allessie tallied the game-winner on a drive to the goal, tripping up senior Anna Spieker and pushing the ball past the Wolverine goalkeeper.

After Penn State broke the scoreless tie early in the third quarter, U-M scored twice off the penalty corner -- less than six minutes apart -- to take the lead in the fourth. Freshmen Alana Richardson netted the equalizer at the 51:32 mark. Fifth-year senior Halle O'Neill's initial shot was saved and kicked out to the left onto the stick of Richardson, who buried a reverse chip to the far corner for her third goal of the season.

Michigan converted again at 57:07 with a redirection from senior Sofia Southam for her team-best 18th marker of the season. Sophomore Anouk Veen took the direct shot from the right side of the arc, and Southam got low to get a touch on in near the left post.

PSU evened it up again just 1:08 later, at 58:15, on a penalty corner of its own. Michigan challenged the call, but it was upheld, and the Nittany Lions scored on the direct shot from the top of the circle to send the game to overtime. U-M is 1-2 in overtime contests this season.

Michigan outshot the Nittany Lions 16-7 and outcornered them 7-3. Spieker posted one save in the Wolverine cage, while Penn State's Brie Barraco tallied eight stops.

The Wolverines (13-3, 5-3 Big Ten) will kick off postseason play at the Big Ten Tournament next Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 4-7) at Bauer Track and Field Hockey Complex in Piscataway, N.J. Seeds and the tournament bracket will be released on Sunday (Oct. 31) after the conclusion of conference play.