STATE COLLEGE, Pa.  – No. 21 Rutgers field hockey held a halftime lead at No. 6 Penn State, but ultimately fell to the No. 6 Nittany Lions (13-3, 5-2 Big Ten) by a score of 4-1. The Scarlet Knights (9-7, 3-4 Big Ten) got a goal from sophomore Nikki Santore, her fourth goal of the year.

Penn State outshot Rutgers 15-5 on the day, and benefitted from an 8-1 advantage on penalty corners. Gianna Glatz made five saves for RU in goal.

The Scarlet Knights scored first 15 minutes into the game, following a successful referral. Rutgers was granted its only penalty corner of the game, which Linde van Schaik inserted to Daphne Groothuis. The freshman took a shot that was redirected in just below the top bar by Nikki Santore for the goal and a 1-0 lead.

Gianna Glatz made two key saves in the opening half. Despite the home team leading 6-2 in shots, Rutgers held a 1-0 advantage.

However, the Nittany Lions came back after intermission with a flurry of goals. PSU scored three times in a span of four minutes and twenty seconds to jump in front 3-1.

Five minutes into the second half, Penn State evened the score by converting on a penalty corner. It was Bes Bovelander who score to tie the game at 1-1.

PSU's leading scorer Moira Putsch then deposited two consecutive goals 82 seconds apart to expand the margin to 3-1. Her first goal came on a fast break, dribbling around the goalkeeper to put the home squad in front 2-1. She followed that by capitalizing on a 2-on-1, with the goalkeeper attempting to stop the initial shot, and a pass found Putsch alone in front of the net for the score.

A great Rutgers chance later in the half led to a successful counter attack for PSU. Groothuis found an opening, but her shot deflected off the post. The Nittany Lions carried up the field, where Putsch scored her third goal of the day for a 4-1 lead. That held for the final margin.

Rutgers will conclude the regular season at home Sunday against No. 12 Maryland. That game will be Senior Day, with Rutgers honoring seniors Katie Beilin, Jessica Carey, Simrin Dhillon, Jade Dixon and Haley Meade prior to the game. That contest, which starts at 1 p.m., will be televised nationwide by Big Ten Network.  

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers field hockey, follow the program on Twitter (@RUFieldHockey) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.