For a team that became all too predictable as the season went on, the 2004 Penn State field hockey team's season was brought to a premature end at the hands of a rather unlikely foe, in a rather unlikely scenario, no less. The Nittany Lions lost 3-2 to Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Friday, putting to rest any hopes of a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

A Leticia Fragapane goal at the 62:07 mark broke a 2-2 tie, and ultimately broke the hearts of the tough-luck Lions (10-10, 3-4 Big Ten). This game saw the Lions' typically sharp defense surrender three goals in regulation, and, even more shockingly, saw them fail to protect a second-half lead. This was only the fourth time this season that the Lions allowed three goals in two halves, and just the second time the team blew a second-half lead.

"I was very surprised at the way we played," Penn State coach Char Morett said. "We just played tentatively, that's what really surprised me."

An Annelise Legel goal off a Carey Maser pass with eight minutes remaining in the first half knotted the score at one, where it would remain for just three minutes. Then, with help from Shaun Banta, Natalie Berrena scored to put the Lions on top 2-1 heading into the break. Finally, some goals from players not named Rigby or Grap. Finally, assists from people without the last names Berrena or Wood.

"Shaun gave a great pass to Nattie, who showed tremendous poise to score," Morett said. "Even the goal that Annelise scored on, Carey Maser showed a lot of poise with a great pass, and Annelise was able to put it in the corner."

But as cruel as fate had been to the Lions up to this point in the season, it was about to take an unusually (even for this team) malicious twist.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, the Buckeyes tied the game on a Lauren Kruse goal off of an uncleared rebound.

Fragapane's game-winner came off a deflection from Cammie Trainer's shot, which was taken from the top of the circle, similar to the way in which North Carolina notched the game-winning goal on the Lions back in September. Cue the slumped shoulders; pan the Penn State sideline gone silent; zoom in on Morett as she plans an attack strategy to extend the Lions' season.

The only thing left undone in this sad film would be to fade to black, then roll credits. But there were eight minutes remaining, and the Lions spent that time the same way they'd spent much of the regular season -- feverishly trying to put the goal in the back of the cage.

"We definitely had to run a play, but we just weren't sharp," Morett said. "One of our goals was to take care of the ball inside the 25, and we didn't do that."

The Lions certainly had their chances to even the game, but were unable to convert on numerous penalty corners in the final minutes.

Morett said the Lions had great scoring chances, and cited an opportunity for senior Karin Grap in which a good pass bounced off her body, rendering the chance -- and Penn State's trip to Chicago -- fruitless.

Top-seeded Michigan won the tournament, and will receive the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA's.

Some good news from Chicago...

The Lions were well represented in the conference awards, as defenders Bekah Hostetler and Sara Cahill, along with midfielder Amanda Eckert were named first team All-Big Ten. Midfielder Kiersten Wood, meanwhile, took home Freshman of the Year honors.

Eckert was further recognized by being selected as Penn State's Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Of the honors bestowed upon her players, Morett said, "I think they're all extremely well deserved. I'm very proud of them, and I think it said a lot about the way they played this season."