Penn State snaps Syracuse’s four-game win streak

No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (20-4) snap Syracuse’s (12-12-3) four-game win streak in a 4-1 conference victory.   

Friday’s affair was much closer than the last two contests the teams played against one another, as in the previous two matchups, Penn State outscored the Orange 18-2.   

It wasn’t until the 16:50 mark of the first period that Grace Outwater kicked the scoring off, stripping Syracuse defenseman Jessica Cheung of the puck, ripping it right past goalie freshman Ava Drabyk, giving Penn State a 1-0 advantage going into the second.   

Momentum carried into the second period from Outwater’s goal, as it only took 20 seconds for Mya Vaslet to bury it off the post and in, giving Penn State a two-goal lead.   

With the Orange starting the new year 4-0, this is an improved squad in 2026, not backing down. Sophomore forward Rylee Mcloed created a 2-on-1, feeding senior forward Heidi Knoll, who found herself in a lone backhand, beating Maddy Campbell and getting the Orange back within one, not even midway through the second.   

“Big improvement since the last time we’ve played them, it’s about the process, tomorrow we’re gonna play even, but it was nice to be close for a big portion of that game,” Knoll said.   

Going into the third, Syracuse was only down one and in their best position against Penn State all season until Kendall Butze netted the Nittany Lions’ third goal of the night with midway through the final period of play.  

The Orange battled back, but it wasn’t enough in the end, with Tessa Janecke cashing in the empty netter, giving Penn State a 4-1 advantage.   

Syracuse looks to battle back tomorrow from the Tennity Ice Pavilion at 3 p.m. against Penn State for game number two of the weekend.