Penn State Defeats Lindenwood, Sweeps Series
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State capped off its season-opening series by defeating the Lindenwood Lions 4-1 in Game 2.
Penn State faced a more determined Lindenwood team, after the Lions were defeated 3-0 the day before. But just 39 seconds in, captain Natalie Heising made her presence known, pouncing on a loose puck right in front of the net and scoring her 50th career goal, becoming just the second Nittany Lion after Laura Bowman to score 50 goals in the program’s history.
“We just had a great forecheck straight from the beginning, and I was fortunate to be right in front to put it home,” Heising said. “The 50-goal mark is just another step in the process of this season. I’m happy about it, but now it's behind me, and I’m just looking forward to the next game.”
Lindenwood tied the game, as Jane Jacobs sniped a power-play goal to the right of goalie Josie Bothun.
However, that would be the only goal that Josie Bothun would give up, stopping a total of 21 shots on net and providing a spark to the team. Coach Jeff Kampersal noticed the momentum his young goalie provided.
“When Lindenwood pressed, Josie came up big for us,” Kampersal said. “She made the saves she needed to make and made some special ones.”
In the second period, Penn State turned it on, scoring three goals at the hands of Amy Dobson, Jessica Adolfsson and Kiara Zanon, the third scoring her first ever career goal as a Nittany Lion.
“That’s something you look forward to your whole life,” Zanon said. “It’s something that I will really hang on to forever.”
From the second period on, Penn State controlled the majority of the game on both sides of the ice, defensively blocking shots and limiting any quality scoring chances, along with continuing to pressure offensively.
“We stuck together throughout the whole game,” Zanon said. “I think that carried us throughout.”
Penn State will look to improve on it’s early season success, as Syracuse visits Pegula Ice Arena on Dec. 5 and 6.
Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hessionjordan@gmail.com.
