Field Hockey Celebrates Tupper’s First Win with Thrilling 4-2 Victory Over ODU – Penn Athletics

Penn Field Hockey’s First Win of the Season

The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team celebrated its first win of the 2025 season on Sunday, defeating Old Dominion 4-2 at Princeton’s Bedford Field. This victory was also a milestone for new head coach Scott Tupper, marking his first career win.

Game Highlights

This matchup was significant as it marked Penn’s first-ever win against Old Dominion after they lost to the Monarchs in their last meeting in 1988. Several players made notable contributions:

• Philine Klas, Beau Lilly Barrington-Hibbert, and Emma Nahon each scored their first goals of the season.
• Sydney Mandato assisted on three of the four goals, a personal best for her.
• Julia Ryan found the net for the second game in a row.
• Goalie Ruby de Frees made five saves, accumulating 15 saves over the weekend.

Despite being outshot 9-8, Penn maintained a strong defensive stance, with both teams having the same number of shots on goal.

How the Game Unfolded

Penn started strong with goals from Klas and Nahon in the first quarter, creating an aggressive offensive tone. Both teams tightened their defenses in the second quarter, leaving Penn ahead 2-0 at halftime. Ryan’s goal in the third quarter put Penn up 3-0. However, Old Dominion fought back with two goals, narrowing the gap to one. Barrington-Hibbert’s goal in the final minutes secured the victory.

Looking Ahead

Next, the Quakers face the fourth-ranked Maryland and American teams. Their upcoming games will be crucial for building momentum this season.

With new strategies under Coach Tupper and emerging stars in the lineup, Penn’s season is off to an exciting start. Fans are eager to see how the team will continue to develop. You can keep up with the latest updates by following @PennFieldHockey on social media or visiting PennAthletics.com.

This victory not only boosts team morale but highlights the transformative potential of new coaching and fresh talent in collegiate sports.

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