ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women's hockey team (6-4-3, 1-1-1 CHA) recorded its fourth shutout and first conference win of the season, blanking visiting Penn State University, (5-5-3, 0-2-1 CHA) 3-0 on Friday night from the Gene Polisseni Center.

The Tigers scored a goal in each of the three periods to pick up the victory and improve to 11-0-2 all-time against the Nittany Lions. Mackenzie Stone (Kars, Ontario/South Carleton), Caitlin Wallace (Brantford, Ontario/Assumption Collegiate), and Jess Paton (Woodstock, Ontario/Waterloo K-W Rangers) each netted their second goal of the season for the Tigers.  Stone also added an assist for a game-high two points.

In goal, Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs) made 22 saves for her 17th career shutout. She also moved into first place all-time at the university in saves (1,794) and minutes played (4,295).

Celine Whitlinger took the loss in net for the Nittany Lions, making 28 saves.

RIT out-shot Penn State, 31-22. The Tigers were 0-for-2 with the man-advantage, while Penn State was 0-for-3.

Both teams got off to a slow start with Penn State outshooting RIT 10-6 over the opening 20 minutes. The Tigers were able to break through in the just over 16 minutes in with a goal by Stone, which proved to be the game-winner. Stone scored off a pass from Cassie Clayton (Pickering, Ontario/PEAC School) and Christa Vuglar (Crystal Lake, IL/Chicago Mission), placing the puck to the opposite corner.

"The first goal sparked us," said head RIT coach Scott McDonald. "We were getting out-played in the beginning and that goal really lifted us up off the bench."

Six of Stone's seven career goals are game-winners.

Just 4:35 into the second period, Wallace placed a rebound over the diving Whitlinger during a scramble in front of the goal. Victoria Pitawanakwat (Manitowaning, Ontario/Sudbury Wolves) and Carly Payerl (Kitchener, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) get the helper on the score.

With just under two minutes left in the game Paton put the game away on a breakaway down the left wing, blasting the shot to the upper right corner of the net. Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/All Saints Catholic) and Stone contributed the assists.

Penn State had quality chances but the Tiger defense and Binnington were able to handle the Nittany Lions attack. In the first period, Penn State put the pressure on during their power plays but Binnington made four big saves to keep the Tiger lead. With 12 minutes left in the game, Penn State had an odd man rush opportunity when an RIT defender went down. Hannah Hoenshell was able to get a good shot on goal but it was not enough to get past Binnington.

"We had a few players back from injuries that made all the difference," said McDonald. "We did a great job defensively shutting down Penn State's first line and continued to get better as the game went on. I am proud of our performance tonight, we wanted to honor those families in attendance and the military we were playing for."

Both senior Marissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) and sophomore Cassie Clayton (Pickering, Ontario/PEAC School) made their 2014-15 season debuts, both missing the first 12 games due to injury.

The Tigers return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3:05 p.m. for the second game of the series with Penn State. The two teams also meet on Jan. 17-18 in Penn State.