As the game clock ran out at the Field Hockey Complex, the audience erupted with cheer not only because the No. 6 Penn State field hockey team had won, but because it was head coach Charlene Morett’s 400th win at Penn State.
The Nittany Lions beat the No. 24 Indiana Hoosiers, 7-1, on Friday for their ninth win of the season.
The Lions came out aggressive with junior Ashtin Klingler scoring the first goal just 21 seconds into the game.
“That first goal was amazing to me,” Morett said. “Just the way it was passed down the field and then their corner execution was amazing. Our corner execution this week at practice was a little lackadaisical and for them to execute with that authority just was so impressive.”
The Lions kept the pressure on the Hoosiers throughout the game and earned their win in a strong fashion.
Senior Kelsey Amy said that being a part of such a milestone in Morett’s career is an honor.
“I think scoring in the first 20 seconds of the game was just incredible,” Amy said. “From there on out we just had them on their heels and just capitalized on it.”
Sophomore Laura Gebhart, who also scored a goal in the win, said that the game was amazing with great passing that connected and the team had a great supportive atmosphere to play in.
“I think it’s absolutely awesome and an attestament to Char and her coaching,” Gebhart said. “And to open up the Big Ten like that on top it is just awesome”.
Morett, who has been head coach at Penn State for 26 seasons and the program’s only three-time first team All-American as a player, said that Penn State is very special to her and that she has so much to be thankful for.
“I had such a wonderful experience with my friends here at Penn State and my teammates and all the athletes here at Penn State and just so many people who have made my experience as an athlete at Penn State so rewarding,” Morett said. “I just wanted to come back and give back to the program. And it’s an honor and a privilege for me to be a coach here and represent all the other coaches here and everyone that has been a part of the Penn State athletic family.”
Morett attributes the high playing and moral standards of the program to her players.
“I give a lot of credit to the athletes that come here and understand the tradition of success here,” Morett said. “And that they understand that expectation here is very high and we’re going to keep that bar high. I have been very blessed to have just amazing assistant coaches”.
Morett, who got choked up as she spoke about her career and her accomplishments, said that she shares this milestone with all that have been with her throughout it.
“I am just so speechless and honored,” the coach said. “And think this just represents so many players that have come before me.”
