March 23, 2018
By: Briana Zuccarelli, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa- The No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions took home a win in sudden victory overtime against No. 22 Johns Hopkins in their second Big Ten game of the season Thursday night, 13-12..
The game started with a quick two goals from Johns Hopkins, but was answered by three goals from captain Maggie Gallagher, junior Madison Carter, and sophomore Maria Auth. The Nittany Lions quickly took the lead to three goals in the first period with a score of 8-5.
"I love these kinds of games," said head coach Missy Doherty. "I love watching them make plays and I tell them that all the time. It's not about at the end of the game, did we win or did we lose. I loved when Kelly Daggett went down there in the first half and knocked the goalie pass down and got that interception to score the goal. Seeing her excitement is the reason why I coach."
After the half, Johns Hopkins brought the game to a tie. Although Penn State answered back with each goal, the game went into sudden victory overtime; the team with the first goal wins. Within the first 27 seconds of play, captain Katie O'Donnell had the game-winning goal.
"I just saw some openings and our team really moved the ball," said O'Donnell. "Carter getting that draw was absolutely crucial and that goal wouldn't have happened without her. We just said, first one down we have to go hard and go with confidence. Overtime just means when you get your shot, you just have to take it."
The Nittany Lions have had four games end in a one goal difference. The team has won two of those games so far. When O'Donnell scored the clutch goal, the screams and excitement from the sidelines could not be contained as came out again on top in another close game.
"Honestly, it's amazing to come out on top," Gallagher explained. "I think we put in a lot of hard work this season, so to see it come together is really really amazing."
Penn State had seven different players score during the win against the Blue Jays. Auth led the team with four goals, followed behind O'Donnell with three and Carter with two. Gallagher, Daggett, Quinn Nicolai, and Kristen Roberto each finished the game with a goal.
"To get this win tonight means the world to me," said O'Donnell. "We've had very ups and downs and those one goal losses are heartbreakers. To come out on the other side of that tonight has just been absolutely amazing, especially for these younger players to feel what that feels like. This joy after the game tonight is what I want them to continue to feel."
In goal, freshman Lucy Lowe finished the game with 12 saves and is now 5-4 for the season in the goal. Coach Doherty emphasized on how well Lowe has played and the incredible saves she has made throughout her first season.
The Nittany Lions now move to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten. The team will travel to Columbus, Ohio to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in another conference matchup. The Buckeyes are 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten Conference.
The game will start at noon on Saturday, March 31st.