Wolverines Rally to Down No. 15 Penn State at Home

Sunday, October 15

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(7-7, 2-5Big Ten)

Penn State

(7-6, 2-3Big Ten)

Penn State

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

10/15/2023 3:54:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» No. 16 Michigan rallied from an initial deficit to defeat No. 15 Penn State 2-1 at Ocker Field.
» Kate McLaughlin scored the game-winner at 34:28 and assisted on Isabella Palde's game-tying goal in the second.
» U-M posted advantages in shots (23-5) and corners (6-2) and turned away a late PSU penalty corner in the waning seconds of the game.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 16-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team scored the game-winning goal early in the third quarter to rally from an initial deficit with a 2-1 win over No. 15 Penn State on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 15) at Phyllis Ocker Field.

Senior Kate McLaughlin had a hand in both Michigan goals, assisting on the equalizer at 19:02 in the second quarter before tallying the game-winner at 34:28 for her third marker of the season.

Penn State (7-6, 2-3 Big Ten) took the initial lead at the 5:16 mark after feeding the ball into space on the left side of the circle; Sophia Gladieux converted on a reverse chip just inside the scoring arc. The shot hit junior/sophomore goalkeeper Caylie McMahon's pads and deflected high into the cage.

The Wolverines (7-7, 2-5 Big Ten) got it back early in the second quarter, knocking a free hit outside the top of the circle through PSU defenders and to McLaughlin alone in the middle. She swept a reverse chip past the Nittany Lions goalie, and graduate student Isabella Palde got her stick on it near the goal line to tip into the cage. It was Palde's fourth goal this season.

McLaughlin netted the game-winner just 4:28 into the third quarter with a goal that nearly mirrored Penn State's from earlier in the game. Senior Rosie Hope self-started in the midfield and ran the ball up the right side before dishing it to the middle, where McLaughlin turned, took one step into the circle and fired a reverse chip from the top of the arc to the right side of the cage.

Michigan largely dominated play, outshooting the Nittany Lions 23-5 and outcornering them 6-2, but Penn State had one more quality chance late with a penalty corner with just 11 seconds to go. The Nittany Lions used most of the remaining clock to work the ball to the left post, where McMahon earned her lone save of the game in the final seconds.

Penn State goalkeeper Brie Barraco posted 12 saves on 14 U-M shots on goal.

The Wolverines will hit the road for its final non-conference contest of the season, heading to Mount Pleasant, Mich., for a 1 p.m. slate at Central Michigan next Sunday (Oct. 22).