UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 8 Penn State women’s ice hockey team (30-5-1, 19-1 AHA) reached its third straight AHA Championship with a 4-0 shutout victory against RIT (16-17-4, 8-10-2 AHA) on Saturday afternoon at Pegula Ice Arena. The two-time defending AHA Champions will once again host the conference title game on Saturday, March 8.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Maddy Christian started the scoring with her second goal of the series on a rebound in front of the net with 8:39 remaining in the first period. Tiffany Hill and Taya MacDonald were credited with assists.
- McKenna Walsh scored her fourth goal of the season on a redirected pass from Leah Stecker at the 3:41 mark in the opening frame. Stella Retrum earned an assist on the play as well.
- Neither side would score again until the 14:17 mark of the third period. Tessa Janecke stole the puck then used some crafty stick work to set up Abby Stonehouse for the ninth goal of her freshman campaign in the corner of the net.
- Janecke made it 4-0 with an empty netter late in the third period. Tiffany Hill and Lyndie Lobdell assisted on Janecke’s 24th goal of the season.
GOALTENDERS
- Katie DeSa earned her ninth shutout of the season, tying her for the nation’s best. Her record improves to 26-5 on the season. She made 11 saves during the contest.
- RIT goaltender Sarah Coe moved to 11-13-2 on the season with 23 saves.
STATS AND NOTES
- The Nittany Lions reached 30 wins for the first time in program history. The team set the program record for single-season victories on Feb. 7, a 4-3 overtime triumph over Mercyhurst.
- By clinching its third consecutive AHA Championship appearance, Penn State looks to become the first program to win the conference tournament three seasons in a row since joining the league for the 2012-13 season.
- With a goal and an assist today, Janecke moved just two points away from breaking the program’s single-season points record. She is three goals shy of eclipsing the single-season goals record.
- Christian, a junior, scored her 20th goal of the season, tying her for fourth on the Penn State single-season leaderboard.
- The Nittany Lions won 39 faceoffs to just 15 for the Tigers.
- Penn State outshot RIT 27-11.
UP NEXT
- Penn State hosts the AHA Championship on Saturday, March 8 at Pegula Ice Arena. The Nittany Lions are seeking their third consecutive AHA Championship. Time and opponent are still to be determined.
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