Penn State women’s hockey falls in final seconds against No. 6 Colgate
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 11 Penn State welcomed No. 6 Colgate to Hockey Valley for a two-game weekend series.
Through a slow first period, the blue and white out-played the top-ranked Raiders. The Nittany Lions dominated possession time early, winning 16 of 22 faceoffs in the opening period.
With the puck in their control, they out-shot Colgate 8-4, but they weren’t able to capitalize even with two power play opportunities.
Early in the second period, Colgate found a spark in its offense as Kristyna Kaltounkova put one in the back of the net for the Raiders. Kaltounkova was credited with a power play unassisted goal with 12:31 left in the second frame.
Later in the period, Penn State freshman forward Katelyn Roberts evened the game at one with 1:59 remaining in the second.
Roberts's tally marked the first in her career, and it was assisted by fellow freshman forward Tessa Janecke and senior defender Mallory Uihlein.
The two teams entered the third period deadlocked at one, but that wouldn't last for long.
Fighting and hustling for every possession, sophomore Mya Vaslet picked up her first goal of the season, giving the blue and white a 2-1 advantage just under two minutes into the period.
However, Colgate didn’t go down without a fight as it pressured goaltender, Josie Bothun.
Midway through the period, the Raiders responded with a goal of their own as Kaltounkova snuck one past Bothun for her second of the contest.
With back-and-forth late third-period action, Colgate put the dagger in the matchup with 30.5 seconds remaining in regulation. Danielle Serdachny rattled one in for her third goal of the season. Serdachny’s goal was assisted by Kaltounkova and Allyson Simpson.
For the first time playing on their home ice since Sept. 23, Uihlein mentioned the energy was high all game.
Despite moving 2-3 on the campaign, coach Jeff Kampersal noted he’s pleased with his team and how close they are as a group.
“Our players have been locked in all year.” Kampersal said.“Our players played with a lot of grit and supported each other.”
The Nittany Lions look to bounce back Saturday afternoon against the Raiders for a 1:00 pm puck drop at Pegula Ice Arena.
Jasper Abrahams is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jpa5778@psu.edu
