Justin Yothers scored twice, including a shorthanded goal early in the second period, and Penn State Harrisburg opened its ACHA season with a 6-2 win over Millersville University (M2) on Friday night at Twin Ponds Arena. Jason Soule made 36 saves on 38 shots for the win.
Peyton Smith gave Penn State Harrisburg a 1-0 lead with nine seconds left in the first period, converting off a feed from Paul Smith. Yothers made it 2-0 with 18:35 remaining in the second, scoring shorthanded off an assist from Blake Hanson. Millersville answered 31 seconds later when Wes Bieber scored on the power play with assists from Andrew Dzurko and Ben Bell.
Luke Schmelzer restored the two-goal cushion with 12:43 left in the second, finishing a play set up by Erik Wadsworth and Zach Graby for what stood as the game-winner. Millersville pulled within 3-2 on Jonny Morgan’s goal with 5:18 remaining in the period, assisted by Logan Brown and Walter O’Connell. Hanson then scored with 2:34 left, with assists from Peyton Smith and Nick Wilson, to send Penn State Harrisburg into the third with a 4-2 lead.
Caleb Warfel assisted on both third-period goals. Yothers scored his second of the night with 14:13 left, and Platon Volzinski closed the scoring with 7:48 remaining. Penn State Harrisburg outshot Millersville 46-38, and Tyler Cassidy made 40 saves in the loss. Hanson and Peyton Smith each added a goal and an assist for the winners.
Both teams will look to build on their season openers in their next games.
