UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – After a 4-1 win against Wisconsin on Sept. 22 at Pegula Ice Arena, the Nittany Lions took to the ice the following day, Sept. 23, with hopes to win the series.
The first period was relatively uneventful, with Wisconsin goalie Jane Gervais blocking all seven shots on goal, and Penn State goalie Josie Bothun blocking all 13 shots the Badgers sent her way. Penn State forward Olivia Wallin was issued a penalty for tripping with 18:37 left in the period. Wisconsin sent the Nittany Lions on the power play three times this period, and they were unable to capitalize on this prime opportunity. Wisconsin’s Claire Enright received a penalty for cross checking with only 20 seconds left in the period, giving the Nittany Lions an advantage at the start of the second.
A power play goal from Kiara Zanon lit the lamp only 87 seconds after the start of the second period, with an assist from Wallin, giving Penn State the 1-0 lead. With 12:27 left in the period, the Badgers responded with a goal from Casey O’Brien. Forwards Britta Curl and Lacey Eden went on to score two more goals in the period for Wisconsin giving them the 3-1 lead.
The Nittany Lions came back out for the third period with the ability to make a comeback, but were unsuccessful. The opposing Badgers came out with blades of fury, with Sophie Shirley scoring only 23 seconds after the period opened up, giving them a 4-1 lead. A minute later, O’Brien received a two minute penalty for hooking, sending Penn State on another power play. There was a valiant effort on Penn State’s end, with six shot attempts, but unfortunately it was fruitless. With 12:41 left in the period, Eden scored her second goal of the night, bringing Wisconsin’s lead to 5-1. The Badgers now looked even more determined than they did at the start of the game.
An exhausted Bothun was pulled from the net and freshman goaltender Katie DeSa was sent in as her replacement, marking her career debut. Thirty seconds after Penn State’s decision to send DeSa in, Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards was able to tally the sixth goal for her team. Tessa Janecke landed a solid body check, sending herself into the penalty box and giving Wisconsin a less-than-necessary power play. A minute into the power play, Kirsten Simms (F) notched another point for Wisconsin; Jesse Compher got the puck into the back of the net a mere 49 seconds later. As a last ditch effort, in hopes to keep the Badgers at only eight goals, Penn State pulled DeSa and sent in Annie Spring as her replacement. Spring was able to block two shots sent to her before Shirley was able to grab her second goal of the night with 4:23 left in the game. Wisconsin closed the game in their favor, 9-1.
UP NEXT:
Penn State hits the road to neutral ice in Canton, N.Y. to face Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.
