Penn State Women’s Hockey and Syracuse Tie After Late Penn State Goal

Story posted February 5, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Jacob Cheris

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Nittany Lions played their biggest game of the season on an icy Friday night. They were looking to claim first place in the CHA standing, but the Syracuse Orange had other ideas.

The Nittany Lions outshot the Orange 16-6 in the first period, but third-year right wing Anna Leschyshyn capitalized on a defensive-zone turnover and snuck one home past Penn State goaltender Joise Bothun.

Bothun, who was last week’s CHA Goaltender of the Week, had 27 saves in the game.

The Orange played quick on the attack, forcing Penn State to focus more on the defensive side of the puck.

“We can't leave the puck in the middle. So anytime you turn pucks over at the blue line, you’re in big trouble,” coach Jeff Kampersal said. “They're so good on entries and that's essentially where they get most of their goals.”

The second period featured no scoring, but Syracuse had three power plays. The Orange did not convert on each attempt. There were 12 penalties in the entire contest.

“I think it's very important to keep your feet moving. If you are not moving your feet, the refs will call any reaching stuff,” Alyssa Machado said.

The Nittany Lions kept the pressure on late in the third period and eventually got rewarded with a goal by Machado. That was her first goal since Dec. 10 against New Hampshire. The Mississauga, Ontario, native has been playing on a line with Natalie Heising and Kiara Zanon.

“They're very good at supporting each other, cycling the puck and always supporting each other in the offensive zone so I really like playing with them,” Machado said.

Despite going sveen games without a goal, the team knew that she was going to get rewarded eventually with her gritty style of play.

“Machado has been one of our more physical players, but playing with [Heising and Zanon], she's got to be ready with her stick on the ice because she's gonna get opportunities,” Kampersal said. “We've been trying to get that line to drive to the net.”

Machado’s goal sent the game into overtime, and each team ended up with one point after the tie.

Penn State goes to 7-2-2 and remains at second in the CHA and Syracuse moves to 9-3-1. Both teams will face each other again on Saturday.


Jacob Cheris is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jacobcheris19@gmail.com.