Oct. 18, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY | WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's hockey team defeated Union, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at the Pegula Ice Arena in its annual THON game. The Nittany Lions recorded their first series sweep of the 2015-16 season and did not concede a goal for the second-straight game.
Penn State improves to 3-3-0 on the young season, while Union falls to 0-3-2.
"Let me first start by saying what an honor and a privilege it was to be a part of such a great event today in support of THON," head coach Josh Brandwene said. "There is nothing more Penn State than THON and to see those children out on the ice, and to high five them, and to have a THON child deliver the first puck. What an emotional moment listening to that young man sing the national anthem, boy that took a lot of courage. As a coach and every bit as much as an alum I was very honored to be a part of that today as we all were as a Penn State women's hockey family. So a great day for this town, and a great day for THON. I'm so grateful that we can be supportive of such a great cause."
Netting her first career goal as a Nittany Lion, defender Kelsey Crow (Deephaven, Minn.) opened up the scoring less than seven minutes into the game. Amy Petersen (Minnetonka, Minn.) tallied a shot on goal and Crow, who was crashing the net, redirected the puck into the goal for the early 1-0 lead.
Similar to last night's contest, the Nittany Lions recorded a pair of goals in the second period of play and for the second-straight game, Penn State scored on its power play.
With under eight minutes to play in the second period, Penn State made quick work of its third power play of the afternoon. With 7:59 left in the second period, Jacyn Reeves was assessed two minutes for hooking and the Nittany Lions pounced with the man-advantage.
Thirteen seconds after the penalty was called, Petersen passed the puck down low to Laura Bowman (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Bowman connected on her fourth goal of the 2015-16 season. Three of Bowman's four goals this year have come off an assist from Petersen. Bowman's goal Sunday also marks her fourth-straight game with at least one point.
The Nittany Lions then tallied a second goal less than two minutes later. From near the point, senior Jordin Pardoski (Rochester Hills, Mich.) blasted a shot past Union goalie Leah Patrick for the 3-0 lead with 5:57 left in the second period. Last night Penn State posted a pair of goals within a three-minute window.
Hannah Ehresmann (Minnetonka, Minn.) turned away five Union shots in the final period and captured her first shutout of the season. In all, Ehresmann made 16 saves on the day and she picked up the win for the Blue and White.
Sunday's shutout marks the second-time in program history that the Nittany Lions have recorded back-to-back shutouts.
The Nittany Lions continue their homestand next weekend with a two-game series against UConn (Oct. 24-25). Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Saturday night and 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.