Feb. 11, 2014
By Jackson Thibodeau, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's hockey team dropped two tight contests to Lindenwood over the weekend, coming up just one goal shy in each matchup against their conference foe. Saturday's (Feb. 8) showdown ended 2-1 while Sunday's (Feb. 9) barnburner ended 4-3 in overtime, both in favor of the opponent.
Sunday's overtime loss was especially heartbreaking, as the Nittany Lions dominated the third period in which they put up two goals--only to lose in overtime. In the extra frame, the Blue and White fired eight shots on goal compared to the visitors' single game-winning shot.
"When you fight that hard, that's what makes it tough," said head coach Josh Brandwene.
The Nittany Lions have been ending up on the short end of the stick in terms of shot quantity vs. their opponents this season (725 to 1,209), but that wasn't the story against Lindenwood.
Brandwene's offense posted 93 shots compared to just 54 for the visiting Lions.
"Our goal is to get ten to fifteen shots per period and we hit that mark this weekend," said sophomore Hannah Hoenshell, who assisted two goals on Sunday. "We had some good quality chances throughout the game. Obviously we didn't bury all of those chances and that is frustrating."
Hoenshell's vision on the ice is complemented by freshmen line mates Laura Bowman and Amy Petersen's ability to light lamp. Their line has established itself as a legitimate scoring threat throughout the season and has developed an undeniable chemistry.
"I think we are working really well together and they (Laura and Amy) are both doing a good job of finishing the chances they are getting," Hoenshell said. "We are all setting each other up pretty nicely."
"Hannah had her feet moving today and when she has her feet moving, she's fun to watch," Brandwene said.
This was the first home series in which Penn State truly dominated the scoreboard in shot totals and also kept the puck in the offensive zone for the majority of the battle, making the two losses particularly frustrating.
Coming up clutch in the third period of Sunday's near comeback was sophomore defender Jordin Pardoski, who scored the game-tying goal with just over a minute and a half remaining in the third frame.
"I couldn't be happier with Jordin Pardoski's play both as a defender and a leader," Brandwene said. "She stepped up to the plate big time this weekend when the team needed her."
Pardoski's slap shot goal energized the Nittany Lion bench and gave the team momentum as they headed into the extra period. Penn State came out of the brief two-minute intermission firing on all cylinders, but couldn't fend off Lindenwood's breakaway that ended the contest.
"It was a fun game to play in," Pardoski said. "I like playing them (Lindenwood) because the defense really gets involved."
The high quality and improved quantity of shots was an impressive feat of the weekend and was something that the team will look to build on. Adding to those high shot totals on Saturday was senior assistant captain Jenna Welch, who scored her first goal of the season and the team's only goal in the 2-1 defeat.
"I'm all about effort and heart and these kids played with a ton of both this weekend," Brandwene said.
Penn State rounds out their home schedule against College Hockey America opponent Mercyhurst this weekend. Saturday's puck drop is set for 8 p.m. and Sunday's senior day showdown is slated to start at 1 p.m.
Seniors Taylor Gross, Nicole Paniccia, Jenna Welch, graduate student Lindsay Reihl and Tess Weaver, a junior who completed her degree in three years, will take the ice at Pegula Ice Arena for the final time in the blue and white uniforms.