No. 10 Women's Hockey Defeats Mercyhurst 2-1 in OT to Clinch CHA TitleNo. 10 Women's Hockey Defeats Mercyhurst 2-1 in OT to Clinch CHA Title
Sami Reilly

No. 10 Women's Hockey Defeats Mercyhurst 2-1 in OT to Clinch CHA Title

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The 10th-ranked Penn State women's ice hockey team cliched their first College Hockey America title with a 2-1 overtime victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday. The Nittany Lions will make their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

  • After a scoreless opening period, the Nittany Lions jumped on the scoreboard first with a goal by Eleri MacKay off assists by Julie Gough and Izzy Heminger to put Penn State ahead 1-0 with 15:40 left in the frame.
  • With 8:22 left in the second period, Mercyhurst would even the score up at 1-1 off a goal by Sara Boucher off an assist by Liliane Perreault.
  • Penn State out-shot Mercyhurst 12-7 in the final frame but were unable to tie the game up in regulation.
  • Then with 14:41 remaining in the first overtime period, Julie Gough ripped the game winner off a faceoff win by Tessa Janecke to secure the 2-1 overtime win. 

GOALTENDING

  • Goalie Josie Bothun captured her 26th win of the season stopping 18 shots on 19 attempted.

GAME NOTES AND STATS

  • With the win, Penn State clinched their first CHA Championship title and advances to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
  • Josie Bothun was named the CHA Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring three straight wins in the tournament and allowing just three goals.
  • Eleri MacKay, Izzy Heminger and Julie Gough each received CHA All-Tournament Team recognition. 
  • Tessa Janecke and Izzy Heminger now sit tied for most points in program history in the CHA tournament with seven after each had an assist in the game. 
  • Head coach Jeff Kampersal makes his third career NCAA appearance and first with Penn State. 

NEXT UP

  • The Nittany Lions await who they will face in the NCAA tournament regionals as the selection show for the tournament will take place at 12 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPNews and ESPN+. 

Get all of the latest updates on Penn State women's ice hockey by following @PennStateWHKY on Twitter, "liking" the Penn State Women's Ice Hockey page on Facebook and following @pennstatewhky on Instagram.