Penn State Upsets Wisconsin, 4-1

(14) Penn State opened its season vs. (3) Wisconsin at Pegula Ice Arena leaving victorious, winning 4-1 improving to 1-0-0.

“I’ve coached a lot of years and this is one of the most special wins just for the amount of work and things they’ve put into this to get here,” Penn State head coach Jeff Kampersal said.

FIRST PERIOD
The Nittany Lions trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes. The big turning point of the period was when Wisconsin committed a slashing penalty by Maddi Wheeler only to still score a shorthanded goal by Casey O’Brien where her and Lacey Eden had a 2-on-1 and got the puck past Josie Bothun, the only time all night that occurred.

SECOND PERIOD
Penn State found a way to get two goals and take a lead heading into the third period. Tessa Janecke scored her first ever collegiate goal which knotted things up at 1 followed by captain Kiara Zanon giving the Nittany Lions the one goal advantage. Bothun saved all 13 shots that came her way and Penn State’s penalty kill was 3-for-3 in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD
A huge goal by Janecke early in the third period and an empty netter from Julie Gough sealed the deal for the Nittany Lions. Bothun stopped all 7 shots leading to a shutout third period.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
After scoring 13 goals last season it didn’t take Zanon long to be on the box score this season. The junior’s goal would eventually go down as the game winner leading her team to a marquee win in their season opener.

FIRST (AND SECOND) OUT OF THE WAY
Tessa Janecke had never played a second of collegiate hockey coming into tonight and she made some impression. Janecke, a true freshman, scored the first goal of Penn State’s season as well as a huge goal in the third period to pad on to the team’s lead.

“I honestly can’t stop smiling, it shows the strength of our team, the things we can do and how hard work can always beat talent,” Janecke said.

BOTHUN’S CREASE
After being named a semifinalist for HCA National Goaltender of the year, it doesn’t seem like the junior has lost a step. Tonight, Bothun saved 27/28 shots which gave her a .964 save percentage for the evening.

“I think with age my confidence has gone to the next level,” Bothun said.

The Nittany Lions and Badgers will meet again tomorrow right here at Pegula Ice Arena to wrap up a two game series. Faceoff is set for 7 P.M.

Feature Image By: AJ Rovner