UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A dominant three-goal opening period propelled No. 4 Penn State to a 4-1 victory and a series sweep over RMU on Saturday. With the loss, the Colonials drop to 1-3-0 overall and 0-2-0 in Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) play to open the 2026-27 season.
FIRST PERIOD
Penn State established control from the drop of the puck, as Sofia Ismael put the Nittany Lions on the board just two minutes into the contest. Penn State doubled its advantage midway through the frame before Ismael struck again late in the period to extend the lead to 3-0.
Supported by a stout defensive effort, the Nittany Lions held RMU without a shot on goal while generating 15 of their own through the first 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Colonials found momentum early in the second period on the man advantage.
Jessica MacKinnon snapped the shutout, converting from down low off passes from captain
Alaina Giampietro and alternate captain
Thalia D'Elia.
Despite additional power-play opportunities for both sides later in the frame, neither team capitalized, sending the game into the final intermission with Penn State leading 3-1.
THIRD PERIOD
After Penn State successfully killed off an RMU power play early in the third, Ismael completed her hat trick near the midway mark of the period to secure the 4-1 final.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Penn State controlled the stat sheet, holding a 52-4 advantage in shots on goal and winning 37 of 50 faceoffs. Redshirt senior goaltender
Maggie Hatch delivered a standout performance in net for RMU, making a season-high 48 saves—including 24 stops in the third period alone—to mark her 16th career game with 40 or more saves. RMU's defense blocked 10 shots overall, led by blue-liner
Shayne Desjardins with three. On special teams, the Colonials went 1-for-5 on the power play while maintaining a perfect 4-for-4 record on the penalty kill.
UP NEXT
RMU returns to non-conference action next weekend for a two-game road series at RPI on October 9-10. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM both days.
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