MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's hockey team will make program history this weekend, skating in its first-ever outdoor game when the Colonials face No. 4 Penn State at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., on Friday, January 30 at 1:00 PM. The game will be open to the public and stream live on the Big Ten Plus Network.
 
The series finale will shift indoors to Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, January 31 at 6:00 PM, and will also stream live on the Big Ten Plus Network.
 
RMU LATELY
RMU (10-16-2, 6-10-2 AHA) looks to bounce back after dropping a pair of 5-1 decisions at Mercyhurst last weekend in Erie, Pa. Senior Morgan Giannone recorded a power-play goal and an assist over the two games, while Alaina Giampietro added a goal. Thalia D'Elia, Jessica MacKinnon and Linnea Misner each chipped in an assist. In goal, sophomore Ella Willoughby made her RMU debut in Saturday's contest, stopping nine shots during the third period.
 
BREAKOUT YEAR
Sophomore forward Jessica MacKinnon continues to enjoy a breakout campaign, leading the Colonials in goals (13), assists (16), points (29), power-play goals (4) and plus/minus (+14). Her goal, assist and point totals all rank among the top performers in Atlantic Hockey America.
 
MacKinnon has also been dominant in the faceoff circle, leading the NCAA with 375 faceoff wins.
 
SEASON-HIGH
Senior forward Morgan Giannone has reached new career highs this season, posting season-best marks in goals (10), assists (12) and points (22). Over 93 career games with RMU, Giannone has totaled 28 goals, 32 assists and 60 points, and she has earned AHA Forward of the Week honors three times in her career.
 
THE STATS ON HATCH
Redshirt junior goaltender Maggie Hatch has been a cornerstone for the Colonials, recording five shutouts this season, the second-most in a single season in program history. Her eight career shutouts also rank second all-time at RMU.
 
Hatch's .927 save percentage during the 2025-26 season is the fifth-best mark in program history. She currently ranks third all-time in saves (2,197), fourth in wins (24) and fourth in minutes played (3,906:59).
 
MILESTONE ALERT
Saturday's series finale will mark the 100th career game coached by Head Coach Logan Bittle. Now in his third season at the helm, Bittle has guided the Colonials to AHA semifinal and quarterfinal appearances in his first two seasons.
 
Bittle is in his 13th total season with the RMU hockey program, having also been a member of the university's inaugural men's hockey team in 2004.
 
ALL-TIME VS. PENN STATE
RMU holds a 24-16-8 all-time record against Penn State, averaging 2.85 goals per game in the series. The Colonials won the first eight meetings between the programs from 2012-14.
 
Ten of the 48 matchups have gone to overtime, while RMU has recorded five shutouts against the Nittany Lions. The Colonials are also 10-7-5 all-time on the road at Penn State.
 
SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS
Penn State (24-4-0, 17-1-0 AHA) enters the weekend ranked fourth nationally and sits atop the Atlantic Hockey America standings. The Nittany Lions are riding a five-game winning streak.
 
Senior Tessa Janecke leads Penn State in goals (19), assists (21) and points (40), all of which rank first in the AHA. Kendall Butze and Danica Maynard each carry a team-best +33 plus/minus rating, while Butze also leads the team in blocked shots (34). Grace Outwater (30), Maddy Christian (27) and Mikah Keller (25) have all recorded 25 or more points this season. In net, senior Katie DeSa has appeared in 20 games, earning 18 wins while posting a .933 save percentage, a 1.30 goals-against average and eight shutouts.
 
As a team, Penn State is averaging 4.36 goals per game while allowing just 1.32. The Nittany Lions' power play is converting at 25.3 percent, their penalty kill is operating at 84.2 percent, and they have won 58.1 percent of their faceoffs.
 
WINTER SPORTS WEEKEND
For more information on parking and events surrounding Winter Sports Weekend, click here.
 
UP NEXT
RMU will close the 2025-26 regular season with a four-game homestand, beginning with a two-game series against Delaware. Game one is set for Friday, February 6 at 3:00 PM, followed by the series finale on Saturday, February 7 at 3:00 PM. Both games will stream live on FloHockey, with Friday's contest also airing on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
 
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