STATE COLLEGE — The State College field hockey team was just outside qualifying for the District 3 playoffs after the Lions’ wins over Cedar Cliff and Hazleton last week.
But 10-3 Cumberland Valley stood in their way, and SC needed an upset win over the Eagles on Oct. 15 in the final regular-season match of the season to make the cut.
The match took place at Cumberland Valley, and the Eagles made it clear very early that there would not be an upset on this day.
Wake Forest commit Marissa Muza struck early in the first period at the 13:58 mark to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. She then assisted her teammate Jayden Fleisher two minutes later to put CV up 2-0.
Muza’s second score at the 9:16 mark gave CV a commanding lead that it would not relinquish. Phia Hunter finished out the first period scoring barrage with a penalty corner goal for the Eagles, and they took a 4-0 lead into the second period.
Muza was not finished yet. She would score twice more — in the second and then in the third quarter — and finish the day with four goals. Her fourth one in the third period gave CV a 6-0 lead.
The last goal was scored early in the fourth period by Lidia D’Agostino and set the final score at 7-0.
Despite facing an insurmountable lead, the Little Lions refused to quit and played some inspired field hockey for the remaining minutes of the contest. State College put constant offensive pressure on Cumberland Valley and had several near misses but ultimately the game ended in a shutout.
With the loss, State College’s season came to an end with a final record of 7-10 overall and 5-9 in the Mid-Penn Conference.
For the season, the Little Lions were led by sophomore Reagan Dare with 13 goals and freshman Brynn Pezalski with 12. Dare also led with 65 shots on goal and 28 points. Pezalski was close behind with 50 shots on goal and 27 points.
On defense, junior goalie Cora Bierly recorded 135 saves, while sophomore Charley Goodstein saved 15. Bierly also recorded four shutouts, and Goodstein had one.
The team will graduate four seniors, but there will be 21 returning players in 2026 from the present roster.
