No. 8 Penn State women’s hockey (2-0, 0-0 AHA) followed up their Thursday performance with a 5-2 win over No. 9 Saint Lawrence (0-2, 0-0 ECAC) to open their season with a bang and a series sweep.

Despite a third-period comeback effort by the Saints, two-time captain Tessa Janecke and the Nittany Lions shut the door on them by scoring three unanswered goals to ensure the sweep.

How It Happened

From the opening faceoff, Penn State looked dominant. Captain Tessa Janecke was able to generate several dangerous looks, including a breakaway opportunity on the first play of the game. However, Saint Lawrence goalie Emma-Sofie Nördstrom stood strong, stopping every shot that came her way.

The first penalty of the game belonged to the Nittany Lions as Matilde Fannin got called for cross-checking just over five minutes into the game. The penalty kill proved to be no problem for the home team as Saint Lawrence struggled to sustain pressure. The Nittany Lions didn’t have that problem as Grace Outwater was able to get a breakaway off of an over-aggressive Saints forecheck, but was denied by Nördstrom.

Continued pressure by the Nittany Lions, led by Janecke, forced the Saints to use a timeout before the end of the first period. Despite Penn State having all the momentum, the game remained scoreless after one as Nördstrom fended off all 17 of the Nittany Lions’ shots.

Penn State’s dominance continued into the second period, where the Nittany Lions were able to get on the board early. Just over three minutes into the frame, a Taya MacDonald shot got redirected in front of the net and went in for her first-ever collegiate goal.

That's a Nittany Lion bounce for Taya's first collegiate goal!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/eNymRWqwvg

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 26, 2025

Saint Lawrence wouldn’t go down without a fight. The Saints were able to apply some pressure, but Katie DeSa kept them off the board. Penn State would respond with pressure of their own, with Janecke crashing the net and setting up Katelyn Roberts in the slot. Nördstrom would make the save but couldn’t control the rebound and Fantin made her pay, making the game 2-0.

Crash the net and good things happen#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/xO3a7hGA48

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 26, 2025

After another penalty kill, Penn State got a penalty of its own. They applied strong pressure, but Nördstrom remained strong, and the lead stayed at two.

Going into the third with all the momentum, Penn State looked poised to run away with the game. Saint Lawrence had other plans and was able to score quickly to capitalize on a Nittany Lion penalty.

Roberts looked to respond, but the senior couldn’t beat the post. This missed opportunity proved costly as Alexia Côté netted her first goal of the season, tying the game at two.

The game wouldn’t stay tied for long as Penn State entered the offensive zone on a 3-on-2 and a Maddy Christian pass led to a Grace Outwater shot and goal.

GraceMaddyGrace#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/FFzjwXZzS7

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 26, 2025

The momentum would continue for the Nittany Lions, as Janecke recieved a pass from Danica Maynard and went five-hole on Nördstrom, making the game 4-2.

Five-hole was open#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/Segd41ObaF

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 26, 2025

After just 11 seconds, Penn State would get its second power play opportunity of the game. However, a Fantin interference penalty made it 4-on-4. DeSa wasn’t gonna let the Saints make another comeback effort as she came through on several key saves while Fantin was in the box.

In a late ditch effort, Saint Lawrence pulled the goalie with under a minute left. They couldn’t get anything going offensively and turned the puck over in their defensive zone. Nicole Hall capitalized on the empty net and put in her second goal of the year with eight seconds on the clock.

Time would run out on Saint Lawrence shortly after the ensuing faceoff, and Penn State completed the sweep with a 5-2 victory.

Break out the brooms

We scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to move to 2-0!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/AKKjnz4lmU

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) September 26, 2025

Takeaways

• Penn State had no problem applying pressure offensively, racking up 53 shots.
• Tessa Janecke is the captain for a reason. The senior racked up two points and won the first star of the game.
• The team can respond to adversity. They quickly responded when Saint Lawrence went on a run in the third period.

What’s Next?

Penn State women’s hockey gets an earned break and will go on its first road series of the year in Burlington, Vermont, to take on the Vermont Catamounts next week. That series will open up at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 3, at Gutterson Fieldhouse. Folks can stream the game on BTN+.