Penn State falls to Maryland in regular season finale

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions hosted the Maryland Terrapins on Friday for their last regular season game of the season.

No. 7 Maryland took down their Big Ten rivals 4-2 and wrapped up their season 12-5 and 6-2 in the Big Ten.

Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, they struggled in Big Ten play this year ending the season 2-6. However Penn State finished 8-9, we have seen better from the Nittany Lions in the past few years.

Maryland struck first and early in the first quarter with a goal from Freshman Forward Ella Gaitan.

The Nittany Lions were quiet for the majority of the first half offensively until Phia Gladieux made a game-changing goal like she always does.

Senior Phia Gladieux has been the key to the Nittany Lions team for the past five seasons and was emotional after the game as she played her last game at Penn State.

“It’s been an incredible five years, I just can’t believe it's gone so fast but I have cherished every single moment here,” Gladieux said.

Gladieux scored her twentieth goal of the season tonight and holds the title of Penn State’s all-time leading scorer.

After the half, Maryland pulled away from the Nittany Lions with three third-quarter goals. The first by Annemijn Klijnhout and the second two by the powerhouse senior Hope Rose who seems to be the difference maker for the Terrapins.

The Nittany Lions trailed 4-1 until senior Sophia Mannino scored the second goal for Penn State in the last minute of the game.

Maryland was able to get 15 shots off compared to Penn State’s eight and had eight corners to play off compared to only one corner for Penn State.

Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions put up a tough fight and are proud of their performance.

“This is such a young team and they have so much talent. I am so excited to see what they can do,” Gladieux said.

Gladieux and the Nittany Lions will play in the Big Ten tournament next week in College Park, Maryland as the Terrapins are hosting the tournament.

It is possible these two teams could face off again sometime shortly.

Penn State looks to make a run in the tournament especially for their superstar Gladiuex as any game could be her last.

Gia Sabatino is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her please email gms6168@psu.edu.