Penn State women’s hockey (0-1-1) tied St. Lawrence (1-0-1) 2-2 on Friday night.

Penn State and St. Lawrence concluded their two-game series Friday, as the Nittany Lions set out to avenge their season-opening loss from Thursday. Despite its improved offensive performance and better play along the blue line, Penn State is left still searching for its first win after tying 2-2.

How It Happened

It took a while for both teams to get any sustained offensive pressure, but eventually at the 5:11 mark of the first period it was the Saints that were able to tally the first goal of the game. Junior defenseman Rachel Teslak got her stick on a puck-shot from the point and deflected it past Penn State goaltender Josie Bothun for the first goal of the game. It was just the second shot of the game for the Saints.

As the first period moved along, both teams were able to amp up the offensive zone pressure, but it wasn’t enough for the Nittany Lions as they trailed 1-0 after one despite outshooting the Saints by four.

The first penalty of the game came late in the first period with 42 seconds left. Despite the power play, the Nittany Lions were unable to find the back of the net as their scoreless streak extended to four periods to begin the season.

The second goal of the game came at the 2:27 mark of the second period as sophomore forward Rachel Bjorgan found the back of the net for her first goal of the young season. Despite the early deficit, the Nittany Lions were able to respond with a goal of their own to cut the Saints lead to 2-1. Freshman Karley Garcia netted the first goal of her young collegiate career to end the scoreless drought by the Nittany Lions to open up the season.

Wallin snuck in the tip in traffic!! Right back in this one!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/woSKvkC5gj

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 24, 2021

Penn State committed its first penalty of the game at the 6:44 mark of the second period. Senior defenseman Rene Gangarosa was sent to the box for tripping. The Saints couldn’t take advantage of the power play opportunity as the Nittany Lions were able to kill off the penalty and keep it at a one goal game.

Later on in the second period the Nittany Lions were blessed with a rare 5-on-3 power play, but were unable to find the back of the net despite great puck movement. At the end of the second period the shots were in favor of Penn State, 19-13. After a sloppy first period in terms of puck movement and offensive pressure, the Nittany Lions were able to dominate the second period and held all the momentum going into the final frame.

It didn’t take long for Penn State to find the back of the net in the third period after a strong conclusion to the second period. Senior Natalie Heising found herself alone in the slot and buried the 55th goal of her Penn State career as the Nittany Lions tied the game 2-2. Heising now sits just two points shy of 100 for her collegiate career.

Natalie scoring in a big time moment! We've seen this before #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/LYh4Kb7VaY

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 25, 2021

With just over two minutes to play in the third period, Penn State was gifted a very timely power play as the Saints were hit with a too many men on the ice penalty. The Nittany Lions were unable to get any consistent offensive zone time during the power play and the game headed to overtime tied at two. At the end of regulation Penn State had heavily outshot St. Lawrence 37-16.

Early on in the overtime frame it was Penn State that dominated in time of possession, but it was the Saints who were able to get quality shots on net. At the 3:59 mark of overtime, Penn State once again got a very timely power play with the opportunity to get its first win of the season. Despite the many opportunities to put the game away, Penn State was unable to find the back of the net and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Player Of The Game

Lucy Morgan | Goalie

For the second straight game, Lucy Morgan was phenomenal. While it wasn’t a shut out, Morgan stopped 38 of the Nittany Lions’ 40 shots as she improved her record to 1-0-1. Penn State threw everything at the junior goaltender, but was still able to find the back of the net only twice.

What’s Next?

Penn State will continue its home stand on Thursday, September 30 at 7 p.m. when Boston College visits Pegula for a two-game series.