Penn State women’s hockey’s season-opening series against No. 2 Ohio State didn’t go as planned. The Nittany Lions dropped both games, losing 2-1 to the Buckeyes in both contests.

The Nittany Lions, however, now turn their attention to Robert Morris, whom they play in a two-game series to begin conference play.

So far this season, Robert Morris has played a two-game home series against Post University, where the Colonials won the first game 8-3 before falling in overtime 2-1 the following day.

The Colonials exploded on offense behind sophomore transfer Greta Brezenski, who scored four goals and had two assists over the weekend series.

Brezenski, along with Alaina Giampietro and Jessica MacKinnon, combine to form a forward line that poses a real threat to Penn State.

“That RMU line with Greta, Giampietro, and MacKinnon—they’re all really talented players,” Nittany Lion head coach Jeff Kampersal said Wednesday. “That’s the line that’s expected to score for them.”

Penn State has a lot to take away from its games last weekend, too, as it attempts to apply the lessons learned from the Ohio State series against Robert Morris’ attack.

The Nittany Lions’ defensive performance was strong in their losses to the Buckeyes, and Kampersal hopes his team will carry that effort over to the next series.

“I thought we did an awesome job in terms of blocking shots, angling, and sort of creating kind of a dome effect in front of the goalies,” Kampersal said.

Kampersal highlighted the need to deny Robert Morris’ top line the puck at every opportunity. Limiting time and space and maximizing puck possession will be crucial for Penn State, he said.

The good news is, even if Robert Morris can generate opportunities, the Nittany Lions have a tandem of netminders who can steal any game they play.

“Both Morgan [Stickney] and Maddie Campbell did a really good job in net. That was good to see, to know that we can rely on both of those players,” Kampersal said.

Stickney earned AHA Rookie of the Week honors for her net performance last week after she made 44 saves and allowed only 2 goals.

Penn State only rolled out three lines during the Ohio State series, but Kampersal insists that will not be a recurring theme. Keeping players fresh will be a key to success this series, and Penn State’s fourth line will be a part of that.

The head coach admits his players felt fatigue in the second and third periods of the second Ohio State game, and he wants to avoid a similar outcome this time around.

“The biggest thing is that we have grit and we have heart, and we’re gonna battle for 60 minutes regardless,” Kampersal said.

Penn State’s series against Robert Morris will take place Friday and Saturday, with Friday’s game at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s contest at 2 p.m.

Both contests will take place at Pegula Ice Area. Saturday is also the team’s annual THON game.