UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Natalie Heising scored her second goal of the season and freshman Jessica Adolfsson earned her first career point as the Penn State women's hockey team tied 1-1 with Merrimack Friday evening in its home opener at Pegula Ice Arena.
Heising's goal came with just 33 seconds remaining in the second period after a stretch pass from Adolfsson. Morgan Rolph also picked up an assist on the play.
Merrimack's goal was scored by Katelyn Rae with 58 seconds left in regulation to tie the game.
Penn State (1-1-1) goaltender Jenna Brenneman turned in her third quality start in goal and finished with 26 saves, including 13 in the third period.
After nearly 40 minutes of scoreless hockey, Rolph deflected a puck in the neutral zone that was brought in by Adolfsson. She connected with Heising on a blue line to blue line pass down the left wing. Heising's maneuvered her way into the zone and fired a wrist shot went just underneath the crossbar for her first even-strength goal of the season.
After the third successful penalty kill of the night for Penn State late in the third period, Merrimack (2-0-1) capitalized with an empty net and extra skater to tie the game.
In overtime, Penn State held a 4-2 shot advantage, with its best chance coming just in front of the net less than a minute remaining that was saved by Merrimack goaltender Samantha Ridgewell.
GAME NOTES
Penn State and Merrimack have gone to overtime against each other in all three games of their all-time series...The teams split its extra-time games at Merrimack last season…Merrimack held a 27-24 shot advantage for the game while the Nittany Lions had the edge 28-26 in the faceoff circle…Adolfsson led the team with five shots on goal…Heising had four shots…Both teams came up empty on the power play, with Penn State finishing 0-of-3 and Merrimack 0-of-2…The teams finish their series tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m.
