UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. -- Taylor
Herold scored both goals for No.3 Penn State, leading the Nittany Lions
to a 2-1 win over No. 17 Albany in the first round of the NCAA Championship
at Penn State's Field Hockey Complex on Saturday afternoon. The Great
Danes finish up the season at 13-8 overall.
Penn State struck
first, getting an unassisted goal from Herold at 14:04 in the first
half. Kelsey Amy carried the ball into the circle and took an initial
shot that was saved by Albany goalkeeper Kristi Troch. Herold collected
the rebound and found the back of the cage in the wide open net.
The Great Danes tied the
game at one before the end of the first half, as Echo Bretz tipped in a
shot by Kelly Bonner on a penalty corner with 25 seconds left on the
clock.
The teams played an even second half before Herold struck again
for the Nittany Lions at the 60:02 mark. Amy carried the ball from the right side
into the center of the circle, where she passed off to Herold, who put
the ball over Troch.
A combined nine
cards between the two teams, including a 10-minute yellow card to Albany, stifled the Great Danes' offensive attack. However, the Great Danes were
able to outshoot Penn State,15-13, and held a 7-6 advantage in penalty
corners. Troch made five saves in the cage for the Great Danes, while
Ayla Halus stopped seven shots for Penn State (18-3).
The Great Danes
earned their third America East Conference Championship title in the
last five seasons last weekend to earn the berth to Saturday's NCAA
Tournament.