Penn State women’s hockey (11-8-1, 7-1-0 CHA) split its final series of 2023 against No. 13 Yale (9-7-0, 7-5-0 ECAC).

The Nittany Lions picked up the opening game 3-2 but fell 2-1 to the Bulldogs in Pegula Ice Arena Saturday. Julie Gough, Alyssa Machado, Lyndie Lobdell, and Brianna Brooks each scored goals for the blue and white throughout the two-game weekend.

Game One

With a slow start to game one, the Bulldogs struck first with a quick shot past senior goaltender Josie Bothun. The goal was scored by sophomore Naomi Boucher.

Late in the first period, Penn State was called for interference, giving the Bulldogs the chance to extend their early lead. After a battle in the power play, the Nittany Lions got the kill to end the opening period.

Yale kept up its momentum, not giving Penn State the opportunity to tie the game up despite leading 9-4 in shots.

Penn State came out ready for the second period and was given a scoring opportunity after a roughing penalty called on Yale. The Bulldogs killed the power play, squashing the momentum the Nittany Lions had to open the period.

Yale took advantage of its penalty kill, leading the group to dominate the ice. Not so long after, the Bulldogs extended their lead with a tap-in by Anna Bargman.

Yale was soon called for slashing, giving Penn State a chance to cut into the lead. With a pass from Brianna Brooks, Lyndie Lobdell flicked the puck in to give Penn State a point on the board.

3:12 | 2nd: LYNDIE!!! Lobdell scores on the power-play to cut the Yale lead to 1! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/s5Sp8rbAdp

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) December 9, 2023

The period ended 2-1 in favor of Yale.

The Nittany Lions entered the third period outshooting Yale 23-16.

The final period was quiet on both sides of the ice, leaving viewers anticipating a goal from either team.

With five minutes left in regulation time, Alyssa Machado tied the game at 2-2.

5:06 | 3rd: 3 ties the game up at 2!!! Alyssa Machado scores the equalizer to even the game a 2-2! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/isHpBKdDUv

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) December 9, 2023

Penn State was given the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Yale was called for interference, leading the Nittany Lions into the power play.

After an attempted goal, Julie Gough took the rebound in herself to give Penn State the lead with three minutes left in the period and game.

3:48 | 3rd: Call her Julie Van Gough cause her power-play goal was a work of art!!! Penn State lead 3-2. #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/4iSZ8fYSX7

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) December 9, 2023

Despite being called for elbowing, the Nittany Lions killed the power play and won the game after trailing 2-0 deep in the second period.

Game Two

Penn State came out ready to fight Yale for the series sweep.

Only 50 seconds into the first period, Penn State got called for high-sticking, giving Yale an opportunity early. Penn State killed the penalty and continued to look for the chance to strike first.

The Nittany Lions were called for tripping shortly after, leading them to go back on the penalty kill midway through the period.

Yale capitalized on its second opportunity to score with a rebounded goal from Carina DiAntonio with under 10 minutes left in the first frame.

Yale was called for holding, allowing Penn State to go on the power play for the first time. Yale kept Penn State on its toes but ultimately killed the power play.

The Bulldogs were then called for body-checking but killed the power play as the clock winded down to close out the opening period.

Penn State called a timeout early into the second period.

Shortly after, the Nittany Lions were called for slashing and had to go for the penalty kill. The blue and white survived the power play and went back to full strength.

Halfway through the second frame, Yale was still the lone scorer.

Soon after a media timeout, Yale extended its lead with a goal from Elle Hartje to jump to a 2-0 lead.

Yale gave Penn State the chance to cut onto the scoreboard with a hooking call but killed the Nittany Lions’ chance on the power play.

With three minutes left in the middle period, Penn State was called for hooking and interference, leading to four-on-four hockey.

To start off the final period of the series, the Nittany Lions killed the penalty and went back to full strength.

Brooks put Penn State on the board early into the final frame with a slow goal that rolled past Yale’s goaltender to cut the lead in half.

15:35 | 3rd: Brianna Brooks cuts the Yale lead to one! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/fN7ubcyl2v

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) December 9, 2023

Yale was called for interference, giving Penn State a chance to tie the game, but the Bulldogs killed the penalty.

Penn State got one last opportunity with a body-checking call on Yale, and it pulled Bothun to get an extra skater.

Yale scored into the empty net, solidifying its win and series split.

Takeaways

• Penn State’s offense is fairly up and down. On Friday, it outshot the Bulldogs 28-24 and generated three goals, while on Saturday, it was outshot 47-24 with only one goal to show for it.
• Goaltending is still strong for Penn State. Josie Bothun is earning her keep between the pipes and locking down the Nittany Lions’ goal at all times.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will enter a monthlong break before returning to Pegula Ice Arena to take on Union on Friday, January 5. Penn State will open the series at 6 p.m.