UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 3 Penn State women’s ice hockey closed out a historic season at the program’s first Frozen Four, falling 4-3 in overtime to No. 2 Wisconsin in the National Semifinal on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena.
The Nittany Lions set a new program and Women’s Frozen Four attendance record as 5,176 fans packed into Pegula Ice Arena.
The Blue & White conclude the greatest season in program history at the Frozen Four. Penn State won its first NC Women’s Ice Hockey Championship game in its first time hosting a regional, set a program record with 33 victories and won a fourth consecutive AHA Championship during the 2025-26 campaign.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Nittany Lions opened scoring early in the first period with a powerplay goal. Senior captain Tessa Janecke went backdoor behind the Badgers’ goaltender just 1:52 into the contest to give PSU a 1-0 edge. It was the 200th point of her career.
- Wisconsin would tie it less than two minutes later off a goal by Laila Edwards.
- Abby Stonehouse retook the lead for Penn State with another powerplay goal. Maddy Christian sent a shot into the Wisconsin netminder that was stopped briefly before the sophomore forward was able to push it in and give PSU the 2-1 advantage.
- The Badgers scored twice in the second period to take a 3-2 lead into the final frame.
- Janecke, a Top-Three Finalist for the 2026 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award that will be given out on Saturday at the HUB-Robeson Center, proved herself worthy of the honor given to the most outstanding player in the country with heroics late in the third period. Pegula Ice Arena exploded as she scored her second goal of the night on a breakaway to even the contest at 3-3 with just under five minutes to play.
- A powerplay goal from Wisconsin less than two minutes into the overtime period sent the Badgers to the National Championship.
GOALTENDERS
- Katie DeSa recorded 31 saves on the night, closing out her collegiate career as the most highly decorated goaltender in program history. The two-time AHA Goaltender of the Year finished the season with 27 wins, tying the single-season program record.
- Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton tallied 22 saves in the win.
STATS AND NOTES
- The Nittany Lions end their historic season 33-6-0, the most wins in program history as they competed in their first Frozen Four.
- Penn State shattered its previous attendance record, as well as the Women’s Frozen Four record, packing 5,176 fans into Pegula Ice Arena for the National Semifinal matchup.
- Janecke’s two goals on the night helped her exceed the 200-point mark for her career. The Penn State hockey career points leader, for both the men’s and women’s programs, finishes a legendary four-year career in the Blue & White with 201 career points.
- On Janecke’s first goal, Katelyn Roberts notched her 17th assist while Kendall Butze tallied her 28th, which is the third-most in a season in team history and the most by a defenseman. Her 33 points this season tie Danica Maynard for the most points by a defenseman in program history.
- Stonehouse tallied her 14th goal of the season, closing out her sophomore campaign with 24 points. Christian notched her 16th assist of the year. Keller registered her 26th, which is the fifth-most in a season and the most by a freshman.
- Nicole Hall assisted on Janecke’s equalizing goal in the third period for her 10th of the year. The sophomore closed the season with 21 points.