Northwestern University Athletics
`Cats Face Challenge at No. 9 Penn State
9/28/2007 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 28, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill.-- Following an upbeat week of practice, Northwestern travels to State College, Pa., to play at ninth-ranked Penn State at noon on Sunday.
"We've definitely learned some things from the Michigan State game and are ready to string together two halves of solid hockey, while taking care of the ball and playing our style," coach Kelly McCollum said. "We had a great first half against Michigan State and are looking to grow and improve on it."
Despite the recent skid, the `Cats have plenty of opportunity to start a new winning-streak against an opponent that ranks second to last in scoring average and goals per game and last in shots per game.
"I'm excited for this weekend. I think Penn State is going to be a great matchup for us," McCollum said. "The team is fired up and ready to take on the next Big Ten battle."
Sunday's contest marks the first time the `Cats have played two-straight road games this season after playing six of its first seven games at Lakeside Field. NU returns home for two games against Iowa and Providence next weekend.
Shoot for the stars
Junior Alex Quinn (Watertown, Mass./Watertown) ranks eighth in the Big Ten in shots per game with 3.12, just ahead of Penn State's leader Mallory Weisen, who averages 3.11 per game. With five goals and four assists, Quinn also ranks fifth in the conference in points per game and seventh in goals and assists per game.
No competition
In the corner
Hats off
The Wildcats 6.62 penalty corners per game put them at fourth in the conference. The opportunity has helped the `Cats to 13.12 shots per game, which also ranks fourth in the conference.
Quinn and Alison Bullock (Boyds, Md./Stone Ridge) remain to be two of just four players in the conference with a hat trick this season. The feat gave them each a conference-high six points in one contest.
