In its first game since Dec. 8, Penn State made up for the long break in action with several games' worth of goals, defeating Chatham 10-0 on Friday night.
The Nittany Lions (6-12-1, 1-8-1 CHA) dominated virtually every aspect of the game against the Cougars (1-8-0, 0-6-0 ECAC West), which snapped a four-game losing streak. They led in shots, 48-17, won 45 of 55 faceoffs and allowed only one shot from the Cougars during their two power play chances.
Hannah Hoenshell and Jeanette Bateman contributed to the rout by setting individual single-game records for the team. They scored four points and three assists in the game, respectively.
The Lions were able to break several team single-game records, too.
The Nittany Lions' 10 goals and 17 assists both topped previous program highs of eight and 12, which came from their 8-2 victory against Sacred Heart on Nov. 3. The five goals scored in Friday's opening period is also a new team record; the previous mark of four goals came in the same game against Sacred Heart.
The Cougars were also held to 17 shots, which is one fewer goal than an opponent's previous low, set during the Lions' game with Sacred Heart on Nov. 2.
The barrage of goals in the first period began after the opening eight minutes went by without any scoring. Freshman Shannon Yoxheimer then found the net on the power play and followed up with the game's second goal to give the Lions the lead. The two goals pushed her team-leading total to 12.
Yoxheimer's second goal began a string of three goals that all came within a span of a minute and a half. Almost in the blink of an eye, the game slipped out of the Cougars' reach.
Tess Weaver ended the first period's scoring with her first goal of the season, not long after assisting Kendra Rasmussen's first goal of the game. Rasmussen, who finished with two goals, entered the game with one goal on the season.
The staggering lead allowed coach Josh Brandwene to give his freshmen goalies some time on the ice.
Celine Whitlinger replaced starter Nicole Paniccia at the start the second period, and Brooke Meyer took her place the final 20 minutes. The three nearly had identical stat lines – Paniccia and Meyer recorded six saves, while Whitlinger stopped five shot.
The Cougars, on the other hand, did not take out starting goalie Megan Buchanan until the start of the third period. Her replacement, Kaitlynn Smith, nearly shut out the Lions during her time on the ice; saving 12 shots, Smith allowed allowed only one goal, scored by Jenna Welch with 1:58 remaining in the game.
The two teams will play again on Saturday at 7 p.m., wrapping up the Lions' first home series since Nov. 10-11.
