When the Nittany Lions take on Iowa Sunday, they may be without one of their offensive weapons.
Forward Daneen Zug aggravated her back Tuesday during the Penn State field hockey team's (5-9, 1-2 Big Ten) win over Bucknell, and her status for the Lions' contest with the rival Hawkeyes is questionable.
In the spring, Zug was diagnosed with Grade 1 spondylolisthesis -- in which one vertebra slips out from beneath another one -- as well as two stress fractures. Last year's team leader with 10 goals, Zug had to work hard just to be in playing shape this season.
Zug said at the very end of the first half Tuesday, something in her back "gave out" and caused her immediate pain just as the buzzer sounded for halftime. She skipped the halftime meeting and went straight to the training room, where she was told to take a shower and ice her back.
Despite the instructions, Zug made her way back to the field wearing a sweat suit to support her team for the rest of the game before icing her back.
Wednesday, Zug had X-rays taken to see if any further damage was done to her back. She received some positive news when they went over the results.
"Things don't look worse than before, which is what we were worried about," Zug said. "We were afraid that one of the vertebrate in my back was slipping more. It doesn't look like that was the case in the X-ray, so that's good."
As of Thursday afternoon, it is believed she irritated the injury -- causing the area to swell up a little -- and Zug hopes it isn't a long-term situation. She is expected to have an MRI today and said she'll see a spine specialist in Hershey in the coming weeks.
Although she didn't practice Thursday, Zug felt a lot better than she did following the game, when she said she constantly woke up with back pain during the night.
Coach Char Morett isn't sure if Zug will play Sunday and said her decision will depend on how Zug feels. Morett said her main concern is Zug's health, and she doesn't want to rush her back.
Although Zug has played in all 14 games and started 10, Morett believes the supporting cast has stepped up well to fill the void if Zug doesn't play -- including Hannah Allison, Casey McCartin and Lauren Alloway.
However, without Zug, the team misses her positive attitude on the field. Jessica Longstreth said Zug is very aggressive and has a mentality to keep pushing on when on the field -- the same characteristics she's shown all season to battle back from her injury.
Zug has transferred her positive attitude off the field, and though many signs indicate she may not play Sunday, she isn't ready to rule herself out of the game.
"I wouldn't say [I won't play] just yet," Zug said. "I still have hope. With any injury you just hope for the best, so I don't know, it could happen."
