COLUMBUS, Ohio - The no. 11-ranked Cornell women's ice hockey team defeated the no. 12-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 2-0 on Friday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center. The Big Red improved to 1-1-1 on the year, while the Nittany Lions dropped to 6-3-0

Lily Delianedis and Rose Dwyer (empty-net) registered the Big Red goals in the contest. Ashley Messier was credited for the helper on Delianedis' goal. Annelies Bergmann earned her first shutout of the season, collecting 37 saves in the game.

Cornell and Penn State played at an even pace to start the game, with both squads finding good time in their respective offensive zones. It would be the Nittany Lions who would find more of an offensive rhythm, totally 10 shots-on-net in the first-period to Cornell's seven.

The Big Red seemingly found the back of the net midway through the first-period on a rebound, but the tally was waived off thanks to a quick whistle that deemed a stoppage following a save. At the seven-minute mark the Nittany Lions supposedly found a greasy-goal of their own in front of the net, but it was also waived off by the officials.

Ashley Messier and Abby Stonehouse were tagged with matching minors after an altercation in front of the net following the sequence. The four-on-four expired with neither team finding a goal. With eight seconds remaining in the period, Delianedis notched her first goal of the season to put the Big Red in front 1-0.

Bergmann held strong in the second period, facing two power-plays and 17 shots from the Nittany Lions, yet still remaining unblemished going into the third. The Big Red would need its defensive-core to have a stronger-period to relieve the pressure that Bergmann was facing, and they would stand up to that task  by holding Penn State to its lowest shot-total (10) of the afternoon.

Bergmann capped off the game with a 10-save third-period. As precious seconds ticked off the clock Penn State pulled its goaltender and Dwyer made them pay with a successful long-shot empty-netter to advance Cornell to the Ice Breaker Tournament Championship.

Next Up
The Cornell women's ice hockey team will return to the ice tomorrow against the no. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the Ice Breaker Tournament Championship. Puck drop is slated for 4:00 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center. Game action will be broadcast on B1G+.