Women's ice hockey freezes out Penn State

02/18/09 - The University of Rhode Island women's ice hockey team improved its winning streak to five games with a sweep against Pennsylvania State University last weekend, beating them 9-2 and 10-2.URI only scored six goals in their two previous games against Liberty University, but against Penn State they consistently found the back of the net.

Rhode Island's offensive success against the Nittany Lions - 19 goals and 115 shots - was also matched on the defensive side of the game.

"We made a few adjustments in our offensive approach," coach Beth McCann said. "Most of the goals were a team effort. Many players focused on team play and we were successful."

On Friday, freshman goaltender Chelsea Keach had an impressive night by stopping 25 out of the 27 shots that came her way. Nina Goncarovs followed up on Saturday with just as impressive of a night, also saving 25 of 27 shots.

It took about nine minutes for junior Jolene Rambone to get the Rams on the board in the first game.

URI continued to score in the first period. Sophomore Rachel MacDonald scored at 3:43 and freshman Johanna Leskinen increased URI's lead to three with her goal at 2:52.

The second period started off well. Leskinen's second goal in the game came at 16:58.

Twenty seconds after Leskinen's goal, junior Nicole Ouelette scored her 13th goal of the season. Rhode Island wasn't finished with scoring in the second period when Rambone scored her team-leading 32nd goal of the season.

Penn State ended URI's hopes of a shutout when Alicia Lepore scored at 9:09 in the second, but URI answered back with a goal of their own when sophomore Amanda Tassoni put URI back up by six.

Rhode Island scored two more goals in the third period from sophomore Danielle DiCeglie and Leskinen, capping off her hat-trick.

"Johanna Leskinen is beginning to be an explosive component to our offense," McCann said.

URI continued their offensive domination during Saturday's game. They wasted no time scoring by piling on five goals in the first period. Paglairni put up two goals, and freshman Danika Korpacz, sophomore Justine Ducie and senior Kate Garcia each contributed one to the quick five-goal lead.

Penn State eased the bleeding in the second period, and got on the board at 17:30 with a goal from Chelsea Sacks. But Penn State's four-goal deficit would be short lived when Leskinen scored at 12:24. It would be her fourth goal in the two games.

URI added four more goals in the third period, which completed the scoring frenzy weekend for the Rams.

"We went into this weekend knowing that Penn State is not one of the stronger teams we match up against," said Rambone. "But with a seven hour bus ride and two games within 12 hours of each other we still had to be prepared to play."

The Rams only have two more regular season games until the playoffs begin. The Rhody seniors have little time left in their college careers, but will leave their legacy with the younger players.

"They have had an impact on all of us and hopefully they leave a little bit of knowledge and talent with the rest of us," Rambone said.

URI will face Sacred Heart University Feb. 21.

"We will continue on quick puck movement, head manning the puck and focus on shooting for the back of the net," McCann said on what will need to be done against Sacred Heart.

URI will then head into the playoffs and try to bring home their sixth consecutive Eastern Collegiate Women's Hockey League championship.