Field Hockey News

by: Bob Orkwis

State College traveled to Western PA for a road trip to start its season and it was a successful sojourn for the Little Lions. After beating Pine-Richland 3-1 on Friday, they shut out North Allegheny 8-0 today at Newman Stadium.

Facing the Tigers for the fourth straight season, State College scored two goals in every quarter, with several impressive and creative markers, and controlled possession for most of the game.

Brynn Pezalski scored the opening two goals and finished the afternoon with a hat trick. The sophomore now has four tallies in the first two games.

Olivia Walther, who scored twice against the Rams, added a pair of goals for State College.

Sadie Kocher also scored twice in the win, while Emme Antunez added a goal and an assist. Maddy Kopinski had two helpers for the Little Lions, while sophomore keeper Calysta Steffie made three stops in the second half in relief of Cora Bierly.

State College led the game in penalty corners 10-3, scoring a couple of goals on the ensuing plays following the inserts. The Little Lions also outshot North Allegheny.

The Tigers had a nice possession near the end of the first half, and North Allegheny added several more chances in the State College end in the second half, when they got their only shots on goal and earned all three of their penalty corners.

The initial Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors 0f 2026 went to Tigers goalie Sydney Bragunier. The sophomore finished with 13 saves, including a few sequences with multiple stops against the State College attack.

North Allegheny now embarks on a three game road trip, visiting Penn-Trafford and Shady Side Academy next week, before the Tigers open section play on September 8^th at Mt. Lebanon.

Field Hockey Summary vs. State College, 8-29-26

SCORE BY QUARTERS	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	FINAL
State College	2	2	2	2	8
North Allegheny	0	0	0	0	0