State College, Penn. — The University of Delaware women’s hockey team was handed defeat in their first two games of the season, losing to The Ohio State University, 5-3, on Saturday (Sept. 28) at Pegula Ice Arena before being blanked, 4-0, by host team Penn State on Sunday (Sept. 29).
Saturday, Sept. 28 — Ohio State 5, Delaware 3
Two early goals from Kat Case and another from Emma Brown set the tone in favour of Ohio State, who built a 3-0 lead through the first 32 minutes of action. With 7:24 remaining in the second period, Delaware winger Courtney Marino gave the Blue Hens their first goal of the contest before accounting for the primary assists on third-period goals from both Shannon McDermott and Kendall Dubin to tie the game at 3-3.
With 4:54 remaining, the Buckeyes’ Clancy Chichetti beat Delaware goalie Morgan Cullen for the game-winning tally off a Brown assist. Brown sealed victory for Ohio State with an empty-net goal in the final 30.7 seconds.
Sunday, Sept. 29 — Penn State 4, Delaware 0
Penn State’s Division 1 women’s team pelted Cullen with 65 shots on goal en route to a 4-0 victory over the Blue Hens in their second showcase game. Delaware, limited to seven shots all game, was pinned in their zone for much of the contest, and sophomore netminder Cullen registered 61 saves in an admirable performance in net.
Grace Lavin and Katie Samide scored late in the first and second periods respectively for Penn State before Anily Allsopp and Delaney Hucker potted a pair of third-period goals to put the Lions out of reach.
Delaware’s regular-season home opener is Saturday (Oct. 5) against Liberty. Game time at Fred Rust Arena is 6:35 p.m.; the game will air on both Delaware Hockey Night TV and Delaware Hockey Night Radio.
