Penn State women’s hockey (4-0-0, 0-0 AHA) beat Vermont (0-2, 0-0 HEA) 5-3. With the 3-1 win on Friday, the Nittany Lions completed the sweep.

Goals from Lum, Keller, Janceke, Christian, and Stecker to get Penn State rolling on offense. The Nittany Lions now hold a record of 4-0 to begin the season.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions took the lead just two minutes and 38 seconds into the first period. Forward Taylor Lum took advantage of a mishandled puck by Vermont’s goaltender, Lily Prendergast, and fired it into the back of the net, giving Penn State the 1-0 lead. The goal was Lum’s first as a Nittany Lion.

Right place, right time for an early lead#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/iUDvTqEDBt

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

The Catamounts responded two minutes later on the power play, when Vermont’s Josie Hemp controlled a rebound and shot it past goaltender Katie DeSa, who had lost sight of the puck due to a screen in front.

Penn State was able to control the game through most of the first period and drew a penalty with six minutes remaining in the first. Vermont’s Josie Hemp took the penalty for high-sticking, and the Penn State offense went to work. Mikah Keller was able to seal the deal for the Nittany Lions after a bouncing puck in front left her alone in front of Vermont goaltender Lily Prendergast. Keller shot the puck through Prendergast’s five-hole, giving her team a 2-1 lead over the Catamounts.

Mikah jumps on the loose puck and we're back in front!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/JrYfNoAjnQ

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

The Nittany Lions’ special teams were stellar in the first period. Matilde Fantin took a penalty for tripping with five minutes left in the first, and Penn State successfully killed the penalty. With less than a minute left in the first, PSU’s McKenna Walsh used her speed to fly by Vermont’s defense and completed a back-door pass to a wide-open Tessa Janecke, who one-timed the puck past the goaltender, making it 3-1 Nittany Lions.

Macker zoomin’ to set up Tessa right before the end of the period! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/Y5Q7xsWi6y

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

At the beginning of the second period, Penn State was able to add another with a goal from Maddy Christian, after an end-to-end pass from Leah Stecker put Christian in alone in front of Vermont’s netminder, making the score 4-1.

Leah threads the needle and Maddy finishes it!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/ZqASN2h4d0

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

The Nittany Lions dominated possession for most of the second period, peppering Vermont’s goaltender, Prendergast, with shots. They were able to get another one past Prendergast off a perfectly placed wrist shot from Leah Stecker.

Leah pickin' the corner for her first of the year#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/zG0o4XtCTg

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

Penn State finished the second period leading Vermont 5-1, after a dominant period in terms of shots and possession.

Penn State was able to kill off two Catamounts’ power plays at the beginning of the third period. However, after both power play opportunities, the momentum swung towards Vermont. Makena Lloyd-Howe was able to one-time a shot past DeSa from the back door after Penn State made a tough turnover at the blue line. Vermont’s goal cut the Nittany Lions’ lead to 5-2.

Vermont added another one to cut the Nittany Lions’ league to 5-3, after Lauren O’Hara grabbed a rebound and put the puck in the net on a wrap-around. Vermont’s late comeback was still not enough to overtake Penn State’s dominant play through the first two periods, and the final score was 5-3 Nittany Lions.

Takeaways

• Penn State had five different goal scorers, showcasing the team’s depth and a dominating offense.
• Freshman Mikah Keller scored her first collegiate goal.
• Penn State dominated the offense for most of the game, with 37 shots to Vermont’s 13.

What’s Next?

Penn State will play its first AHA conference game next week at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 10, against Delaware.