UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's hockey found a third-period goal to send its Friday afternoon game against Providence to overtime, but the Friars ended up with the golden goal in the extra frame to down the Nittany Lions 3-2 at Pegula Ice Arena.
Penn State (3-3-1) took the initial lead with a first period score from Katie Rankin. After back-to-back goals by Providence, Katie McMillan netted her third of the season to tie the game 2-2.
Providence (4-0-0) was led by Maureen Murphy who netted two goals and an assist. Murphy scored a short-handed goal and the game winner in overtime.
Jenna Brenneman made 15 saves in the loss for Penn State while her counterpart Madison Myers made 21 stops to earn the win.
The Nittany Lions looked strong in the first period and took advantage of their first power-play opportunity at 5:02. Rankin scored from the slot after receiving a pass from Natalie Heising off the left half wall. Jessica Adolfsson also picked up an assist on the play.
Providence matched Penn State with a score on its first power play just over two minutes later at 7:16. Whitney Dove corralled a rebound and her second-chance try found the net to tie the game.
Penn State had another power play early in the second period, but Murphy ended converting on a short-handed breakaway to put the Friars in front 2-1.
Momentum shifted back to the Nittany Lions in the third period and it resulted in a game-tying goal from McMillan. Shea Nelson pushed the puck forward in the neutral zone and McMillan swooped in down the left wing. Her rising shot found the twine and to tie it up.
Murphy played hero for the Friars in the overtime to give the Friars with win 1:12 into the extra frame.
GAME NOTES
Penn State held a 23-18 edge in shots on goal, including 10-4 mark in the 3rd period…Loli Fidler led the Nittany Lions with four shots while Murphy led all skaters with five…Penn State went 1-for-3 on the power play with three shots…Providence went 1-for-4 on its power plays…Today's game marked the first ever meeting between the Nittany Lions and Friars...Game two of the series will start at noon tomorrow.
