All good things must come to an end, especially in the Nittany Lions’ case.
Penn State earned the No. 4 spot in the USCHO poll following a gritty sweep over RIT on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. Improving to 16-0 on the season, the blue and white appeared unstoppable.
However, then-No. 7 Northeastern dashed this notion in Game 1 of its series with the Nittany Lions. The Huskies handed Penn State its first loss of the season, 3-2, on Friday night in Boston, despite a near two-goal comeback.
But the blue and white didn’t let off the gas. Penn State rallied behind four unanswered goals to take Game 2, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Nittany Lions currently boast a 17-1 record on the season, in an upset-filled weekend throughout women’s hockey altogether.
DeSa’s response
Goaltender Katie DeSa’s statistics speak for themselves. The reigning AHA Goaltender of the Year leads the nation with a .117 goals-against average as well as sits tied for first in the nation in shutouts with Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton, each earning six.
Goaltender Katie DeSa (35) skates by the boards during a break in play during the Penn State women’s ice hockey game against Syracuse at Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Orange 11-2.
Sawyer Hadlum
However, Game 1 of Penn State’s series against Northeastern “wasn’t necessarily (DeSa’s) day,” as coach Jeff Kampersal said following the team’s victory in Game 2. The senior netminder allowed three goals on eight shots before being replaced by freshman Maddy Campbell to start the third period. Campbell went on to save all 10 shots she faced, playing her part in a comeback effort that fell short.
When the blue and white stepped on the ice at the Dorothy Talbot Skating Rink in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a case could’ve been made for Campbell to get the nod. But Kampersal had faith in his starter, electing to give her a shot at redemption.
And DeSa didn’t disappoint. Although the Huskies opened the scoring, it was the extent of Northeastern’s success. The Pawcatuck, Connecticut, native posted a season-high 29 saves on 30 shots in Penn State’s 4-1 victory.
Despite the scoreboard telling a different story, the Huskies hounded DeSa all game long. Multiple breakaways, odd-man rushes and netfront chaos were all thwarted by the superstar goalie. The lone goal that was scored on her was the result of Northeastern captain Lily Shannon crashing the net hard on a 3-on-0 rush.
DeSa said that she had “respect and honor” for the coaches to be given the opportunity to bounce back.
Second line continues production
It’s been said time and time again: Maddy Christian, Grace Outwater and Mikah Keller are a force to be reckoned with.
A lot of credit goes to the first line of Tessa Janecke, Katelyn Roberts and Abby Stonehouse. However, the second line has more than proven itself to be just as, if not more successful in the box score.
On Friday, Keller found Outwater right off the face-off who subsequently took a wrist shot that jumpstarted the comeback effort.
The following day, Penn State’s third and fourth goals of the game were contributed by all three of the forwards. First, Outwater sent a saucer pass to Keller who shot low for a rebound that found Christian’s stick for a perfectly-timed shot past goaltender Lisa Jönsson. Then, Christian fed Outwater for a rebound that Keller poked past the goal-line to take a 4-1 lead.
Defense Danica Maynard (27) skates toward the puck during the Penn State women’s ice hockey game against Mercyhurst in Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Lakers 6-1.
Sawyer Hadlum
Outwater currently paces the Nittany Lions, and ranks tied for fifth in the nation, with 13 goals. She is followed immediately by Christian who has tallied 12 so far this season. Keller sits at fifth in the nation in points by a freshman with 18, right behind fellow Nittany Lion Danica Maynard who has 20.
“They’re just like dynamite,” Kampersal said. “Mikah is insanely smart, Maddy is insanely fast and you don’t have to tell (Grace) twice to shoot. She’s a goal-scorer.”
MORE HOCKEY COVERAGE
The Nittany Lions picked up two AHA honors for the month of November.
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