Penn State hockey goaltender sets legacy-defining career record

Penn State hockey is looking to make a return to the women’s NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history this season. Leading the way for the Nittany Lions is dominant goaltender Josie Bothun, who recently set a College Hockey America conference record over the weekend in a win against RIT.

Josie Bothun breaks CHA career shutout record

Penn State goaltender Josie Bothun is now the CHA leader in career shutouts after picking up her 20^th in a 4-0 win over RIT on Friday. Bothun has had a dominant 2023-24 season, currently averaging 2.28 goals against with a save percentage of 91.4%.

‼️𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒕‼️

Josie Bothun became the CHA leader in career shutouts after tonight’s 4-0 win ❌

Congratulations, @Jbothun 👏 👏 #WeAre pic.twitter.com/vnCbUFi3xI

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 13, 2024

Last season the Penn State hockey goaltender had a 1.78 GA/AVG and a 92.3% save percentage. Given that the Nittany Lions’ tougher opponents were in the nonconference, we can expect Bothun’s final numbers this season to be even better this season once conference play is complete.

Penn State hockey chasing another conference title

Penn State hockey won its first CHA conference tournament last season, resulting in the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. It solidified a growing trend that Penn State is the team to beat in the CHA, with talent all over the ice playing for both the Canadian and the American national teams.

The Nittany Lions are once again leading the CHA and are up multiple games on second-place Mercyhurst. Penn State hockey has an opportunity for its third regular season conference title in 4 seasons.

The CHA is one of three one-bid leagues where only the conference tournament champion makes the NCAA Tournament. The ECAC and WCHA usually pick up all six of the at-large spots, and the Nittany Lions aren’t in a position to receive one of those based on the current Pairwise Rankings. That will mean that in order to make a second consecutive NCAA Tournament, Penn State hockey will have to once again take care of business in the CHA tournament and hang another banner.

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