Series Recap: Penn State Women’s Hockey vs. Franklin Pierce
With conference play looming this weekend, No. 12 Penn State took the ice for one final non-conference tune-up, at least for now, against Franklin Pierce.
The Nittany Lions put together a tough conference schedule playing four ranked opponents over the course of their first nine contests. In those ranked matchups, the Nittany Lions went 2-4-1, but were able to go 3-0 in the non-conference games, including a sweep over the Ravens.
After scoring seven goals over their previous four games, which were all ranked games versus Colgate and Boston College, the blue and white offense came out firing on all cylinders. Over the course of their two matinee contests with Franklin Pierce, the Nittany Lions scored 10 goals on 103 shots.
61 of those shots came in game two, which was the first time the Nittany Lions recorded more than 60 shots in a single game since 2013. While more shots were sent on net in the second game, the first game saw more of the goals.
Alyssa Machado started the scoring for coach Jeff Kampersall early in the first period of Game 1. Machado’s goal would stand to serve as the game-winning goal and that helped her earn CHA Forward of the Week.
Machado was followed by five other scorers, including Tessa Janecke. The freshman would continue her hot start scoring in Game 2 as well making it four goals in three games for her.
Kiara Zanon was the main offensive scorer for the Nittany Lions in Game 2 finding her way past Suzette Faucher twice.
Faucher, while allowing ten goals in this series, found a rhythm after allowing the fourth goal of Game 2 to Julie Gough. That goal, which came near the halfway point of the second period, was the last Faucher would allow.
A 57-save performance from Faucher would lead to her being named the third star of the game. The junior was one of the best netminders in the nation last season, but is struggling to match those statistics behind a spotty defense.
Faucher put together a performance that deserved a win, but her offense did not. In the two games the Ravens’ offense mustered just one goal off the stick of Avery Farrell.
Farrell’s goal would be the only one that Katie DeSa allowed, and it came on a three-on-zero opportunity for Franklin Pierce.
DeSa got the nod in Game 2 following Josie Bothun’s shutout performance in Game 1. For Bothun, who set the program record with nine shutouts a season ago, it was her first blank stat line of the season.
Bothun faced 15 shots in that shutout effort, while DeSa faced 12 in Game 2. After allowing four goals in her first collegiate appearance in a 9-1 loss to Wisconsin, DeSa was much stronger this time around.
With the 6-0 and 4-1 victories in the rearview mirror, Penn State will head to Lindenwood to start conference action.
The Nittany Lions will aim to improve upon their 8-3-3 conference record from last year and rebound following their loss to Mercyhurst in the College Hockey America Tournament semifinals.
Justin Ciavolella is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jtc5751@psu.edu.
