Fall Sports Update: Women’s Hockey Stays Unbeaten

Women’s Hockey (16-0)

It was a tighter margin than the team has been used to this season, but the women’s hockey team stayed unbeaten with 5-3 and 4-3 wins over RIT last weekend. Penn State had allowed more than two goals just once in its first 14 games.

In Game 1, Mya Vaslet and Maddy Christian each scored a shorthanded goal on the same penalty kill to provide the winning margin in a 5-3 win. Six of the eight goals in the game came in the first period, and Penn State never trailed in the game.

In Game 2, Danica Maynard scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal, to lift Penn State to a 4-3 win. The Nittany Lions outshot RIT 47-20 in the game and never trailed.

Penn State will travel to Boston to take on Northeastern in a top 10 battle on Friday (3:30pm on ESPN+) and Saturday (2pm).

Women’s Volleyball (17-11)

The women’s volleyball team swept its final two home games with wins over Michigan State and Maryland. Maggie Mendelson, Kennedy Martin, Gabrielle Nichols, and Emmi Sellman all reached 10 kills in the sweep over the Spartans, as the offense combined to hit .278 while holding Michigan State to just .140.

Penn State extended its dominance over Maryland, hitting a blistering .449 in a three-set sweep. Jordan Hopp had 7 blocks and Gillian Grimes had 19 digs to lead an excellent performance from the defense.

Penn State will hit the road for its final two regular season matches against Nebraska on Friday (6:30pm on Big Ten Network) and Iowa on Saturday (7pm on Big Ten Network).

Women’s Basketball (5-1)

Penn State split its games at the Battle for Atlantis, falling 100-93 to Princeton and beating San Diego State 83-67.

Penn State held a 10-point lead after the first quarter against Princeton but was outscored in each of the following three quarters as the Tigers slowly grabbed control of the game. Gracie Merkle was 19 for 23 from the floor and scored 39 total points, and Moriah Murray made 6 of her 9 three-pointers, but the Lady Lions committed 16 turnovers.

A dominant 21-7 second quarter allowed Penn State to pull away early against San Diego State, and the Lions extended the lead to 20 by the end of the third quarter to wrap up the tournament with a split. Gracie Merkle had 26 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, and Penn State was +13 on the glass to help run away with an 83-67 win.

Penn State will return home to the BJC to take on Yale on Sunday (1pm on Big Ten Plus).

Women’s Soccer (10-8-3)

The women’s soccer season came to a close with a 2-0 loss to Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Penn State was eliminated before the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016. Virginia outshot Penn State 8-4 in shots on goal and stifled the Nittany Lions’ attack all game. Mackenzie Gress made six saves in the loss.