University Park, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team looked for a series split in game two of their series with #15 Penn State. After leading 2-1 late in the third period, the Nittany Lions scored to tie it and send the game to overtime. In OT, the Nittany Lions scored just 19 seconds in to grab a 3-2 win and a series sweep.
How it Happened
Early pressure provided by the Nittany Lions saw a great scoring chance, but Ena Nystrøm got a stick on the puck and deflected it away. A much quieter first period in today's game for both sides, with three shots on goal each at the 14:00 mark of the period. At the 16:49 mark of the period, the first penalty of the game was called, and it was on the Nittany Lions. The Lakers power play had an opportunity to open the scoring, but Katie Desa made a sliding save on a Vanessa Upson shot. Just after the Nittany Lions killed off the penalty, the Lakers took a tripping penalty, putting the Nittany Lions on the power play. After one period of play the score was 0-0. A very evenly played first period on both sides.
The second period started with a bang for the Lakers as Vanessa Upson scored her 11th goal of the season to break the scoreless tie and give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. If you left your seat, you missed another goal. Just after the puck was dropped, Thea Johansson gathered the puck from behind the net and beat Katie Desa for the goal, just 15 seconds after Upson's goal. The Lakers led 2-0. The Nittany Lions had a few chances to cut into the Lakers lead, but the Lakers defense was doing a great job of eliminating rushes by the Nittany Lions. When they did get a rush towards the net, Ena Nystrøm was brilliant in the period, stopping eight shots to bring her game total to 14.
The Nittany Lions came out with pressure in the third period. Ena Nystrøm stopped a number of shots early, but eventually the Nittany Lions got one. Leah Stecker made it 2-1. After the goal, the Nittany Lions continued to apply as much pressure as possible on the Laker defense. Vanessa Upson blocked a Tessa Janecke shot, and Ena Nystrøm made some huge saves. With under two minutes to play, Brianna Brooks found a small window for a goal to tie the game up at two.
In OT, Maggie MacEachern scored just 19 seconds into the overtime to win it for the Nittany Lions 3-2.
Highlights
Vanessa Upson scored her 11th goal of the season to open the scoring. Upson also blocked a team high four shots.
Thea Johansson scored her 14th goal of the season.
Sofia Nuutinen tallied another assist, which brings her into a tie for second on the team with 16.
Ena Nystrøm finished with 28 saves in the game.
Scoring Summary
P2 | 6:56 | Vanessa Upson from Sofia Nuutinen
P2 | 7:11 | Thea Johansson unassisted
Next Up
The Lakers will return home for their final regular season home series of the season against Lindenwood. The Lakers will also honor their seniors during the series.
