UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania – Senior forward Natalie Heising became the second Nittany Lion ever to score 50 career goals and helped set the pace for the Penn State women's hockey team in a 4-1 win Monday evening over Lindenwood to complete the weekend sweep at Pegula Ice Arena.
Heising's first shift score started an offensive onslaught for the Nittany Lions (2-0-0, 2-0-0 CHA) as they fired 58 shots on goal, the program's highest total ever against a conference opponent.
"Before the game we talked to the team about being consistent," said Penn State head coach Jeff Kampersal. "Really good teams always show up and play hard. At the end of yesterday's game, I thought we played well, but our second and third periods were really well, and so we wanted to start strong. It was nice to see Natalie on the first shift get us going."
Freshmen forward Kiara Zanon had a two-point game and netted her first career goal in PSU's three-goal second period, which also included power-play scores from junior forward Amy Dobson and junior defender Jessica Adolfsson.
Freshman defender Lyndie Lobdell recorded her first career point with an assist on Heising's goal and picked up a second helper later to finish with two points.
In goal, freshman Josie Bothun made 21 saves to record her second win in as many starts, becoming the first Nittany Lion to win her first two career starts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State wasted little time taking the lead thanks to Heising's goal just 39 seconds into the game. After Lobdell's shot from the point, the puck bounced to the front of the net where Heising was there to bury it, putting Penn State ahead, 1-0.
The Nittany Lions had four power-play chances to follow in the first period but couldn't find a second score despite nine shots on target.
Conversely, Lindenwood had only one power-play try in the opening frame but managed to capitalize when Jane Jacobs scored the Lions' first of the series with 7:47 remaining in the first period.
Penn State's luck on the power play changed early in the second period thanks to Amy Dobson's finish. She scored via a great shot from the slot off the post and time winding down on the power play to give PSU the lead back at 6:43 in the second.
The momentum snowballed for Penn State from there as they piled on 24 total shots on goal in the period, including two more goals. Zanon netted her first career score unassisted on a tough forecheck just to the left of the goal crease at 11:13.
Adolfsson followed that 2:33 later on another Penn State power play with a blast from the point to give the Nittany Lions a 4-1 edge. Lobdell picked up her second assist on the play.
The Nittany Lions bottled up Lindenwood for the third period by not allowing a power-play goal on three LU chances and keeping play in the offensive end as indicated by their 19-7 shots-on-goal advantage for the frame.
HEAR IT FROM THEM
Head Coach Jeff Kampersal
- On Penn State's two-win weekend: "Overall, it was six solid periods considering that we haven't played in a really long time. It was good to face another opponent. Lindenwood is really well coached. They're really feisty and make you play hard and make you work for what you get. We appreciate them making the trip to Pegula and getting our CHA schedule started."
- On Josie Bothun's performance: "She's a quality goalie. In terms of recruiting, I've watched Josie play a lot of big games and when her team was getting closer to the semifinals or finals of tournaments, she would elevate her play. When Lindenwood pressed, Josie came up big for us."
Senior Natalie Heising
- On scoring her 50th-career goal: "It's a great accomplishment and I'm happy to be where I am. Helping my team is always my number-one goal. It's just another game going forward. The 50-goal mark is another step in the process of this season. I'm happy about it, but it's behind me now and I'm looking forward to our next game.
Freshman Kiara Zanon
- On netting her first career goal: "It's so special. That's something that you look forward to your whole life, obviously playing in college, then scoring that first goal. It's just a special moment so it's something I'll hang on to forever.
GAME NOTES & STATS
- Dating back to the 2019-20 regular season finale against Mercyhurst, Heising has scored seven goals in her last five games played. After adding an assist in Monday's game, she now has back-to-back multipoint efforts and 17 for her career, fourth-highest in Penn State history.
- Zanon begins her Penn State career with a two-game point streak and a team-best 14 shots on goal through two games.
- Lobdell became the latest freshman to record her first career point in Monday's game, following Carrie Byrnes, Maeve Connolly, Jess Ciarrocchi and Zanon's first points in Sunday's game.
- Penn State had 19 total shots on goal on the power play alone as the Nittany Lions went 2-for-11 on the advantage. Lindenwood converted on 1-of-5 power plays.
- PSU's 58 shots on goal is the program's fourth-most shots on goal in a single game. Their recent conference record was 52 against Lindenwood Jan. 21, 2019. Every skater in Penn State's lineup had at least one shot on goal.
NEXT UP
The Nittany Lions are scheduled to host Syracuse Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6, at Pegula Ice Arena. Game times are both set for 2 p.m.
For the latest updates on Penn State women's ice hockey, follow @PennStateWHKY on Twitter, "like" the Penn State Women's Ice Hockey page on Facebook, and follow @pennstatewhky on Instagram.