Women’s Hockey Unable to Come Away With Weekend Sweep
In game two of a weekend series at the Pegula Ice Arena, the Penn State Nittany Lions women’s ice hockey team let one slip away in a 2-1 loss to the Lindenwood Lions Saturday.
Penn State changed up goaltenders for Saturday’s game and started freshman Hannah Ehresmann, while Lindenwood stuck with junior Nicole Hensley.
The Nittany Lions got off to a quick start when Shannon Yoxheimer scortched a shot passed Hensley to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. The goal was unassisted.
“We really wanted to focus in and make the first few minutes strong and put some pucks on net and get ourselves some opportunities,“ said Penn State head coach Josh Brandwene. “Shannon is a heck of a leader and really led by example getting us out of the gate.”
After pressuring Penn State early in the second period, Lindenwood capitalized on a Nittany Lions in-zone turnover. The Lions leading point scorer, Shara Jasper, deeked around Ehresmann to tie the game at one.
“I thought it was a really intense defensive battle by both teams and I think the shots on goal indicate that,” said Brandwene.
After just two periods the Lions had a 16 shots, while Penn State had six.
Early into the third period, the Lions took their first lead of the weekend with a sweet goal from senior Alyssa West.
West juked out a Penn State defender and went top shelf on Ehresmann, with assists from Jordyn Constance and Britannia Gillanders.
The Nittany Lions pressed hard near the end of the third, but could not find the back of the net as Lindenwood secured a 2-1 win.
“It’s another great opportunity for this hockey team to play in the type of games you play in league play and down the stretch,” said Brandwene. “This was one of those tight checking, low opportunity for both teams kind game and it’s a tremendous opportunity for us to learn and get better.”
Ehresmann saved 22 of the 24 shots she faced in her eighth game for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State is now tied for fourth in the CHA with a conference record of 2-3-1 and an overall record of 7-6-3.
Trey Cochran is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mjc5789@psu.edu.
