SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Penn State women's hockey team pulled within one goal in the third period but could not complete the comeback in a 2-1 loss to Syracuse Friday evening at Tennity Ice Pavlion.
Penn State (10-10-4, 4-7 CHA) had its five-game unbeaten streak snapped in the loss. Syracuse (6-17-1) improved to 6-5 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Syracuse was able to get on the board first in the opening frame with an even-strength goal from Jessica DiGirolamo at 9:15.
- The Nittany Lions outshot Syracuse 12-9 in the first 20 minutes, but Syracuse held its 1-0 lead into the first intermission
- The Orange added to its lead with another even-strength score at 14:26 in the second period, this time by Brooke Avery
- Penn State doubled up Syracuse on shots on goal 14-7 in the second but couldn't get one past goaltender Maddi Welch. Syracuse took its 2-0 lead into the third period.
- The Nittany Lions found some life on the power play at 7:17 in the third period when Katie Rankin scored her fourth power-play goal of the season and fifth overall. After winning the initial face off, Rankin cleaned up a rebound on a shot from the point by Katie McMillan.
- Penn State pulled Jenna Brenneman for an extra attacker late, but couldn't find an equalizer in the final seconds.
GAME NOTES
- Rankin has now scored three points (2G, 1A) in the last four games for Penn State.
- The Nittany Lions have scored at least one power play goal in the last four games, tying a season-long streak. Penn State has also scored 10 times on the power play over the last nine games.
- Brenneman made 18 saves and has now allowed two or fewer goals in 17 of 23 starts this season.
- 14 different skaters had shots on goal for Penn State, led by the following trio with four each: McMillan, Loli Fidler, and Brooke Madsen
NEXT UP
The Nittany Lions conclude their CHA series with the Orange tomorrow, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m.