April 13, 2015
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
BALTIMORE, Md. - Penn State battled back from an early four-goal deficit to force double overtime against Johns Hopkins. Despite stellar performances from both Connor Darcey in net and the entire offense, the Nittany Lions came up just short to the Blue Jays, 11-10.
Goaltender Connor Darcey made 13 saves in net for Penn State (3-8, 0-3 Big Ten) during the Saturday evening showdown against Johns Hopkins (5-6, 2-1 Big Ten). Darcey's solid performance was yet another reminder of how far the redshirt sophomore has come since the beginning of the season. Having started every game in net this campaign, Darcey continues to improve with every passing game.
"One of our issues has been getting off to a good start and right from the get-go. Connor seemed to be locked into the defense and the game itself," said head coach Jeff Tambroni. "He certainly kept us in it early and gave us a chance late so he was just very consistent throughout the course of that entire game."
During the first overtime period, Darcey blocked both of Johns Hopkins' two shots on net. With neither team finding the target in the first overtime, the game moved into a second overtime. Darcey and the defense geared up for another long five minutes of withstanding Johns Hopkins' determined offense. Unfortunately, with seven seconds left in the second overtime, the Blue Jays snuck one past Darcey, into the back of the net, ending what would have been the biggest comeback of the season for the Nittany Lions.
"Without [Connor Darcey] it certainly could have been a whole different ball game," said Tambroni. "It's nice to see the way Connor played from start to finish."
Another Nittany Lion had a stellar performance against Johns Hopkins, this time on the offensive end of the field. Senior Pat Manley had four goals against the Blue Jays, all coming within a twelve-minute span. Manley's first goal of the night, coming at the end of the first half, gave the Nittany Lions the momentum they needed to spark a second half comeback.
"I think [Pat Manley's first goal] was a big one for us because it brought [momentum] into the half and more energy and a little bit more enthusiasm," said Tambroni. "Even though it's just one goal it made a big difference and it gave our guys a chance to come out the second half and play the way they did."
Coach Tambroni had stressed earlier in the week that the Nittany Lions needed to get back to the basics against Johns Hopkins.
Tambroni saw his team get back to the basics during the second half against the Blue Jays, but not before they had to find their footing first.
"I certainly didn't think we did it in the first half, I thought we were a bit disorganized defensively, played hard, played a little bit on discipline, but played a little bit tight, maybe a little bit selfish offensively," said Tambroni. "I think they were trying to do a little bit too much on both sides of the ball."
Once finding their footing, the Nittany Lions dominated the field, scoring and keeping the Blue Jays on their toes, but in the end it wasn't enough.
"I thought we got back to the basics in man-to-man defense in the second half," said Tambroni. "It gave our guys a lot to build on as we look ahead to the final two games in the Big Ten."