Penn State Allows 4 Goals on Penalty Kills, Falls to Boston University 5-1

Story posted October 26, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Jack McCune

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State (3-4-3, 0-0-0) lost to the No. 10 Boston University (5-1-1, 2-1-1) Saturday afternoon 5-1 in Pegula Ice Arena.

Both teams had many opportunities to score, with Boston having just one more shot than Penn State, but the Terriers took advantage of Penn State penalties, as they scored four of their goals on power plays to sweep the Nittany Lions in a two-game set.

“I thought the players played their hearts out,” said Penn State head coach Jeff Kamperal, who wants to stay positive but also knows the team needs to make adjustments. “We didn’t work as smart as we usually do, taking [six] penalties and then struggling to kill those penalties. That pretty much sank our battleship.”

Both teams were missing their starting goalie, but this was no issue for Boston, as sophomore Kate Stuart allowed just one goal and recorded 21 saves in place of junior Corrinne Schroder for her second start this year. But the same success did not translate for Penn State redshirt sophomore Cam Leonard, making her second start in place of junior Chantal Burke.

In a defensive first period in which neither team put up double-digit shots, the Terriers secured a 2-0 lead on two power play goals. Boston tested Leonard early when freshman forward Julia Nearis scored less than four minutes in after Penn State sophomore defender Jessica Adolfsson was called for checking from behind. Ten minutes later, after Penn State freshman defender Mallory Uihlein bodied the Terriers senior forward Natansza Tarnowski, Boston doubled its lead on another power-play goal from senior forward Deziray De Sousa.

The Nittany Lions ended the shutout early in the second period, but the Terriers capitalized once again on Penn State penalties to give themselves a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes. Penn State applied a lot of pressure and won the shot battle, 10-6, but one goal apiece was the result. Penn State senior forward Katie McMillan scored her third goal of the season three minutes in after a nice offensive move. But later, with eight minutes to go, Nearis scored her second goal of the day, this time with a 5-on-3 advantage.

In the third period, Penn State had little opportunity with only four shots, and the Terriers solidified their victory by scoring twice more. Sophomore forward Kaleigh Donnelly scored first for the only even goal in the game by the Terriers, and senior defender Abby Cook scored later while Penn State freshman Mikayla Lantto was in the box, making the final score 5-1.

The Nittany Lions will look for a quick turnaround as they will begin CHA conference play when they head to Pittsburgh to take on Robert Morris on Friday and Saturday night in a two-game series. Penn State will be looking for its second and third away wins, as the Nittany Lions are currently 1-2-3 on the road.

 

Jack McCune is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jxm1237@psu.edu.