ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Junior alternate captain Abby Stonehouse netted the game’s lone goal, while first-year goaltender Morgan Stickney made 13 saves to backstop Penn State to a 1-0 victory over RIT Friday night at Gene Polisseni Center.
Sophomore Danica Maynard and first-year Sofia Ismael recorded assists on Stonehouse’s game-winning goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Penn State went on the power play three minutes into the opening period, but RIT kept the Nittany Lions off the board.
- Five minutes later, Penn State’s penalty kill answered, shutting down the Tigers’ first power play opportunity of the evening.
- The Nittany Lions held a 9-5 edge in shots through a scoreless opening frame.
- Penn State’s penalty kill went back to work early in the second, keeping RIT scoreless following a hooking call at 2:35.
- The Nittany Lions continued to search for the opening goal but came up empty on a power play midway through the period.
- Penn State killed off another penalty late in the middle frame, generating three shorthanded shots on goal, including two strong chances from Outwater and one from Keller.
- Penalties nine seconds apart opened the ice for four-on-four play, and Stonehouse delivered shortly after on a backhand shot off of a rebound from Ismael’s initial shot on net to break the deadlock at 18:48.
- Penn State controlled the second period with a 12-4 advantage in shots, taking a 1-0 lead into the final intermission.
- Penn State came out firing in the third, putting five shots on goal in the opening five minutes, including a great break away chance by senior Ashley Kokavec, as the Nittany Lions looked to build on its 1-0 lead.
- Outwater kept the pressure on, recording seven shots in the final frame, including four in a 31-second span midway through the period.
- Stickney held firm at the other end, turning aside all four RIT shots, including back-to-back chances just six seconds apart late in the frame.
- The Nittany Lions outshot the Tigers 14-4 in the third and kept RIT off the board to secure the 1-0 victory.
STATS AND NOTES:
- Stonehouse recorded her second game-winning goal of the season and fifth of her career. Her two game-winning goals this season rank fourth in Penn State’s single-season list, while her five career game-winning goals rank ninth all-time in program history.
- With her fifth career win, Stickney moved into second place in program history for wins by a first-year goaltender.
- Stickney also earned her second shutout of the season, moving into third place in program history for shutouts by a first-year goaltender.
- With an assist Friday night, Ismael improved her season totals to six goals and nine assists for 15 points. She leads all NCAA rookies in goals and is tied for the national lead among rookies in assists and points.
UP NEXT:
Penn State wraps up its series against RIT tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Gene Polisseni Center.