Buckeyes Sweep Nittany Lions, Earn 2-1 Game Two Win Friday

Friday, September 25

University Park, Pa.

4 p.m.

Ohio State

2-0-0

Penn State

0-2-0

Team	1	2	3	F
Ohio St.	1	1	0	2
Penn St.	1	0	0	1

Buckeyes Sweep Nittany Lions, Earn 2-1 Game Two Win Friday

9/25/2026 6:47:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 2 Ohio State women's hockey team earned its first sweep of the season, winning game two at No. 4/6 Penn State, 2-1, Friday at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pa.

The Buckeyes (2-0-0) improve to 13-2-0 all-time against the Nittany Lions (0-2-0) and start the year with a series sweep for the second consecutive season.

How it Happened

In game two it was Penn State first on the board as the Nittany Lions scored at 4:14 on their second shot of the game.
Ohio State earned the first power play opportunity of the game at 11:51 in the first period and needed just 14 seconds with the extra player to tie the game. Sophomore forward Hilda Svensson lit the lamp at 11:38 off assists from junior defender Mira Jungåker and freshman forward Hayley McDonald.
The teams went to the locker room tied with one goal each at the first intermission. Ohio State outshot Penn State, 11-3, in the opening frame and freshman goaltender Rowan Houweling made two saves in the first period to keep the Nittany Lions to one.
The Buckeyes continued to push the pace offensively in the second period, outshooting the Nittany Lions,15-6.
Senior forward Rylee Bartz tallied the team's second unanswered goal and put the Buckeyes in the lead at 18:06 in the middle frame. Sophomore defender Jenna Raunio sent the puck into the Nittany Lions' zone and around the boards. Senior forward Kaia Malachino collected the puck on the half boards before sending it to Bartz at the top of the goal crease where wristed a shot into the net.
Houweling made six saves in the second as Ohio State took the one-goal lead into the second intermission.
The third period was scoreless, and it was the Ohio State defense that closed the game. The Buckeyes relentless forecheck and neutral zone control helped them keep Penn State from pulling their goaltender for the additional skater. Ohio State only allowed three shots on goal in the final frame.

Buckeye Notables

Rookie goaltender Rowan Houweling made her first career start and played in her first game as a Buckeye. She finished the game with 11 saves in her first career win.
Svensson recorded the first power play goal of the season for the Buckeyes. She led the team with 14 points on the power play last year. She has now had a hand in the first power play goal of the season for both years of her Ohio State career after recording an assist on the power play goal in the 2025-26 season-opener at Colgate.
Rylee Bartz's game-winning goal was her first as a Buckeye. Bartz joined the Buckeyes ahead of the 2026-27 season after three seasons at St. Thomas and now has 36 goals for her career.
McDonald added her first point of the season with an assist in the contest.
The Buckeye penalty kill finished the weekend a perfect 9-for-9.

Up Next
Ohio State starts Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play next weekend at St. Thomas. The Buckeyes and Tommies meet Oct. 2-3 at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul, Minn. The games will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).

#GoBucks