UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's hockey tied Syracuse, 1-1, in a highly \-competitive CHA battle that made it all the way to a three-on-three overtime.
The Nittany Lions responded to an early Syracuse tally late in the game as Alyssa Machado (Mississauga Ont.) tipped in a perfectly-placed Natalie Heising (Wayzata Minn.) assist. No one could net a goal in the overtime period as the game ended in a tie.
"We played a pretty solid game," Kampersal said. "Nice to come back and get a goal, it's weird because I felt like we could have had more."
Josie Bothun (Wyoming Minn.) made three key stops in the overtime period, including two breakaway saves. Bothun sent away 27 of the 28 pucks that were thrown her way.
Both Syracuse and Penn State still remain atop the CHA conference rankings as they played their second OT game of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Much of the first period saw the Nittany Lions and Orange go back and forth until a hooking penalty by Syracuse defender Shelby Calof gave Penn State their first power play of the night.
Although Penn State mounted a solid effort with the advantage, they couldn't sneak a puck past opposing goaltender Arielle Desmet, who finished the night with 45 saves. Shortly after, Syracuse mounted their first rush of the game which was foiled by a great defensive stick by defender Avery Mitchell (Pickering, Ontario).
Syracuse ended up breaking the scoreless tie on a power play with 3:30 to play in the first period. Forward Victoria Klimek got loose and assisted teammate Anna Leschyshyn's fifth goal of the season.
Just four seconds into the second period forward Kiara Zanon (Fairport, N.Y) was charged with slashing. However, on the ensuing penalty kill it would be the Nittany Lions on attack registering a few shots of their own.
Much of the second period would witness the Nittany Lions and Orange trade punches back and forth, but no one could find the netting despite multiple chances.
Freshman Syracuse forward Madison Primeau would find herself in the sin bin after a roughing call. The Nittany Lions would surrender their power play seconds later after a Lobdell interference call.
The four-on-four play wouldn't produce any new tallies on the scoreboard.
Late in the period the Nittany Lions junior forward Rachael Weiss (Calgary, Alb.) took her inaugural trip to the penalty box on a tripping penalty. The Penn State penalty kill held stout for the second time of their three opportunities.
Syracuse wouldn't go to the break without a fight, however. The Orange would register three of their 11 second period shots in the final minute.
The Nittany Lions would come out of the intermission on the prowl sending several shots of their own to the Syracuse goal. Their momentum was interrupted by yet another penalty, this time on senior defender Rene Gangarosa (Rochester N.Y).
Penn State would find a way to kill Syracuse's advantage thanks to several key saves by January's CHA goalie of the month Bothun.
A continued attack after the penalty by the Nittany Lions, tested Syracuse's netminder. DeSmet answered everything that came her way.
A hard collision between Syracuse captain Jessica Digirolamo and Penn State forward Alyssa Machado resulted in an unsuccessful Nittany Lions power play.
The 1-1 tie was finally broken when Penn State hit pay dirt. Senior captain Heising hit a cutting Machado with 3:28 left in the period to tie the game at one a piece.
The Lions wouldn't be able to stay on the attack as the referees would assess a slashing penalty to junior forward Julie Gough (Newcastle Ont.). Again, the Penn State penalty killers emerged victorious, and the third period horn sounded without a team being able to break the tie.
The overtime period would begin with a Penn State two on one featuring Heising and Gangarosa, but again the Syracuse goaltender would prevail.
Syracuse answered with pressure of their own but Bothun would again stand tall. The Orange pulled away from the frenzy with a man advantage after a Gangarossa trip with 2:20 remaining in the overtime period.
On the power play, Bothun had no shortage of action, facing three shots, and sending them all aside.
The fourth horn of the night ended the game locked in a 1-1 tie.
GAME NOTES AND STATS
- Alyssa Machado scored her first goal since December 10th. It was her 5th goal of the year and 9th point of the season.
- Natalie Heising again extended her point streak to seven games. She added her 17th assist of the season.
- Kiara Zanon, Rene Gangarosa, and Avery Mitchell all had three blocked shots on the night.
- Penn State and Syracuse combined for 30 penalty minutes in the game.
NEXT UP
Penn State completes the series with Syracuse Saturday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena.