No. 15 Penn State women’s hockey (13-10-1, 8-2-0 CHA) split its two-game road series with RIT (11-10-2, 4-5-0) over the weekend.

The Nittany Lions won handily Friday night 4-0, and Josie Bothun recorded her 20th career shutout. On Saturday, Penn State lost in overtime 3-2, its second overtime loss of the season.

How It Happened

Game One

The opening game of the series started off fast with a power play for the Nittany Lions after a hooking penalty from RIT. The power-play, however, was unsuccessful with only four shots on goal.

Only eight seconds later, RIT was called for high-sticking, and Penn State was given another opportunity to draw first blood. The Nittany Lions still couldn’t find the back of the net for the second consecutive power play.

The Tigers took their power-play kill as momentum and attacked senior goaltender Josie Bothun with six shots on goal in one minute. Despite the offensive onslaught from RIT, the first period ended scoreless.

The second frame began quickly with three shots on goal from Penn State. The Nittany Lions managed to keep the puck in their zone to continue attacking RIT’s goaltender.

Four minutes into the second period, RIT got its first power play of the game after an interference call on Katelyn Roberts. The Nittany Lions defense held up and killed the power play.

The remainder of the second period consisted of shots taken by both teams, but neither could score.

The Nittany Lions came to life in the final period of the opening game, though.

Penn State had the opportunity on the power play seven minutes into the period.

The penalty was killed by RIT, but only six seconds later, Tessa Janecke found the back of the net to finally put Penn State on the board.

10:24 | 3rd: TESSA!!! Janecke scores the first goal of the game to put Penn State ahead 1-0! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/uJAYovAY2K

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 13, 2024

With six minutes left in the closing period, Roberts scored on the power play to double the lead.

With one second left on the power play, Stella Retrum scored on a rebound to jump to a 3-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Retrum scored the final goal of the outing to secure a 4-0 opening win.

3:05 | 3rd: Stella…AGAIN!! Penn State leads 4-0! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/0NlHctHVz0

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 13, 2024

Game Two

Penn State brought the heat to start off game two.

Within 50 seconds, the Tigers were called for tripping to give the Nittany Lions their first chance of the game. RIT killed the power play and went on one of its own due to a tripping call.

Penn State killed the penalty and led in shots on goal with nine midway into the first period, though the game remained scoreless to end the opening period.

RIT scored the opening goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead just one minute into the second period.

The Penn State defense was put to the test when it was called for holding right after the Tigers scored. The group killed the power play and maintained a one-point deficit.

With two minutes left in the second frame, the Tigers scored again to take a 2-0 lead.

Penn State didn’t give up, though, and its first goal of the game was converted by Alva Johnsson to cut the lead in half heading into the final period.

0:34 | 2nd: ALVA!!! Johnsson scores Penn State's first goal of the game to cut the RIT lead to one! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/nfm17VyHZA

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 13, 2024

The Nittany Lions came out ready, completely dominating the opening six minutes of the final period.

RIT didn’t give up, and the ice began to tip its way, while Penn State continued to fight to tie the game late into the third period.

Its fight paid off as Roberts tied the game with two minutes left in regulation, ultimately sending the teams into overtime.

Although Penn State dominated overtime, RIT found the back of the net first to win.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will return home to Pegula Ice Arena for a weekend series against Syracuse. The series opens at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 19, in Happy Valley.