HADLEY, Mass. – Davenport had solid showing while competing in the Umass Invitational. The Panthers defeated Penn State University in a high scoring battle on Friday, lost a close game to the University of Massachusetts on Sunday and won an exciting overtime game against the University of Rhode Island on Saturday. Laken Kunz was stellar for Davenport offensively; she scored four goals over three games, including the game winning goal in overtime against Rhode Island. The victory over Rhode Island was the greatest of the weekend, as the Rams ranked four spots higher in the last ACHA rankings than Davenport.
 
Game 1 (Friday, November 3^rd)
Final Score: Davenport 5, Penn State University 4
Location: Hadley, Mass.
Records: Davenport 2-6, Penn State 0-5

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-3 | PSU-1
2^nd Period: DU-1 | PSU-2
3^rd Period: DU-1 | PSU-1
Final: DU-5 | PSU-4

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Emily Ellis got Davenport on the board first in the opening period. She scored on an unassisted effort in the fourth minute of the game. Kunz followed Ellis's goal up with one of her own just over three minutes later, giving Davenport an early two-goal lead. Later on in the period, Penn State scored a goal to cut DU's lead down to one goal. Just 58 seconds later Lexie Boydston scored a goal and a double assist credited to Madison Workman and Courtney Mulligan. After one period of play DU had a 3-1 lead.
-The Nittany Lions started a comeback in the second period, scoring two unanswered goals to tie the game at 3-3. Olivia Rudberg put a stop to PSU run with a goal in the seventh minute, assisted by Ariannah lets. The Panthers headed into the final period up one goal.
-Kunz added a security goal in the third period, increasing the Panthers lead to two goals with just under seven minutes remaining. The Nittany Lions scored one last goal for the final buzzer sounded, but was one goal too short.
-Kunz netted two goals this game, including what ended up being the game winner in the third period.
-Mulligan recorded two assists.
-Julia Gaynor had 41 saves during her 60 minutes in net.

Game 2 (Saturday, November 4^th)
Final Score: Davenport 2, University of Rhode Island 1
Location: Hadley, Mass.
Records: Davenport 3-6, Rhode Island 2-2

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-1 | RI-0
2^nd Period: DU-0 | RI-0
3^rd Period: DU-0 | RI-1
OT Period: DU-1 | RI-0
Final: DU-2 | RI-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The first period belonged to the Panthers. Ellis scored the only goal of the period and gave Davenport a one-goal lead after 20 minutes of play. A double assist credited during the goal to Boydston and Amanda Ballestero. Rhode Island had two power play opportunities that DU successfully defended against in the period.
-Neither team could find the net in the second period. Davenport had the lone power play opportunity in the period.
-The third period was uneventful, scoring wise, up until the last waning seconds. Rhode Island snuck a goal in with just one second left on the clock. The game went into overtime, tied 1-1.
-Davenport shook off the late goal by Rhode Island and responded with a game winner just 11 seconds into the overtime period. Kunz scored the goal and a double assist given to Zoie Amatore and Boydston on the play.
-Both Ellis and Kunz scored a goal each.
-Boydston assisted on both goals.
-Gaynor recorded her second straight win in net and stopped 48 of the 49 shots sent her way.
 
Game 3 (Sunday, November 5^th)
Final Score: Davenport 2, University of Massachusetts 4
Location: Hadley, Mass.
Records: Davenport 3-7, Massachusetts 6-3

GOALS PER PERIOD
1^st Period: DU-0 | UM-1
2^nd Period: DU-2 | UM-2
3^rd Period: DU-0 | UM-1
Final: DU-2 | UM-4

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Massachusetts scored the first goal of the game and held Davenport scoreless during the first period.
-Davenport had a great start to the second period, scoring two straight goals to take a 2-1 lead. Massachusetts responded with two goals of their own and took over the lead heading into the final period.
-Massachusetts added another goal in the final period.
-Tori Dubuc and Kuns each scored one goal.
-Boydston and Ballestero had one assist each.
-Gaynor played her third straight game in the net and had 47 saves. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers will face local opponent Aquinas College this upcoming weekend. Saturday's game will be played at Aquinas, while Sunday's game is a home game at the Patterson Ice Center.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture Credit: Alexis Hoffman