No. 6 Penn State women’s hockey (3-0, 0-0 AHA) got the better of the Vermont Catamounts (0-1, 0-0 HEA) on the road to continue their undefeated start to the season.

The Nittany Lions picked up right where they left off last week, and didn’t look fazed for even a second, despite this being their first road game of the year.

How It Happened

Penn State wasted no time applying pressure after a Tessa Janecke opening faceoff win. The Nittany Lions were able to control most of the offensive possession to start the game and got several good looks at the net. Despite this, Vermont goaltender Ellie Simmons was strong to start the first period.

The relentless onslaught eventually proved too much for Simmons, as Grace Outwater drove one by her after a long pass by Leah Stecker, making the game 1-0.

Grace picks up the loose puck on the stretch pass from Leah and we're off a running!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/aj8I6X6LAG

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) October 3, 2025

The Catamounts were able to respond with pressure of their own. They let off a flurry of shots, all saved by Katie DeSa as she continued her strong start to the season.

As the first neared its close, the Nittany Lions entered the offensive zone yet again. Mikah Keller laid down a drop pass for Maddy Christian as she launched one from the high slot to make it 2-0. Vermont challenged the play for an offside, but it was deemed a good goal.

Maddy's first of the year is a snipe#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/38agHpfa4t

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) October 3, 2025

Thanks to a last-second elbowing minor, the Nittany Lions started the second period on the power play. Penn State got right to it, scoring in just 50 seconds from a Tessa Janecke wrist shot.

Can't give Tessa that much time#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/6jNPUd3a4N

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) October 3, 2025

It wasn’t long before the Lions were on another power play. Kaylee Lewis of Vermont got called for a holding minor, and Penn State was on the man advantage yet again with 12:11 left in the second.

It appeared that the Nittany Lions were able to capitalize on the power play again after a shot by Mya Vaslet was ruled a goal. However, after review, the play was overturned and the Catamounts were able to kill the penalty.

Vermont made the most of the momentum gained and managed to get on the board after Kaylee Lewis snuck one by DeSa.

Penn State headed to the locker room up 3-1 after two and just looked to salt this one away in the third.

This task proved to have some difficulty as the Nittany Lions committed two quick penalties at the top of half of the third frame. Matilde Fantin got called for handling the puck, and Taya MacDonald got called for interference.

Both penalties proved to be no problem for the Lions as they were both killed without any major opportunities arising. Leah Stecker showed out on the penalty kill, blocking a couple of shots, and Katie DeSa continued to look just about unstoppable.

Penn State was able to wind down the clock and got some good looks at extending the lead, but Simmons held it together and kept it a two-goal game through the final whistle.

That's a Nittany Lion WWWin

G.O., Maddy, And Tessa find the back of the net as we move to 3-0!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/OcVNmTaDrs

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) October 4, 2025

Takeaways

• Penn State controlled the game from start to finish. They had the puck in the offensive zone for almost the entire game.
• Katie DeSa is a premier goalie that the team can rely on. The senior wasn’t tested all that much today, but rose to the challenge whenever her number was called upon.
• Grace Outwater is a serious asset. The sophomore forward racked up a team-leading two points and can really help out in scoring from the second line.

What’s Next?

Penn State women’s hockey will conclude its road series against Vermont at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.