UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 1 Penn State took the 2026 Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Postseason crown and lifted the Robert DeGregorio Cup title with a 3-2 win over No. 2 Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon at Pegula Ice Arena.

Jeff Kampersal now has the second-most postseason championship wins in conference history after earning his fourth. With the victory, Penn State secured a spot in the 2026 NC Women’s Ice Hockey Championship.

The Nittany Lions have won four league postseason titles, all coming in four consecutive campaigns.

In the first period, Penn State freshman blueliner Danica Maynard centered a pass from the left faceoff circle and put it on the stick of graduate forward Mya Vaslet. The forward then opened the scoring after burying the puck 10:40 into the first period, giving the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, sophomore forward Nicole Hall redirected a shot into the back of the net. The Nittany Lions added a third goal with two minutes remaining in the middle frame as senior forward Tessa Janecke recorded her first assist of the tournament when she added a helper on senior forward Katelyn Roberts goal that extended the home team’s lead 3-0 into the second intermission.

3:45 into the third period, sophomore blueliner Abby Poitras netted one to get Mercyhurst on the board. The Lakers began a comeback push, as freshman forward Berlin Lolacher brought the visitors within one. Despite the late attempt, Mercyhurst was unable to successfully tie the game.

Senior goaltender Katie DeSa allowed two goals and made 29 saves in the championship win. Mercyhurst sophomore netminder Magdalena Luggin made 30 saves in the effort.

2026 AHA WOMEN’S POSTSEASON ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Forward: Tessa Janecke*, SR, Penn State - 3 GP, 5 PTS (4G-1A)
Forward: Matilde Fantin, FR, Penn State - 3 GP, 4 PTS (1G-3A)
Forward: Peyton Armstrong, SO, Syracuse - 3 GP, 4 PTS (2G-2A)
Defenseman: Kendall Butze, SR, Penn State - 3 GP, 2 PTS (2A)
Defenseman: Abby Poitras, SO, Mercyhurst - 3 GP, 2 PTS (2G)
Goaltender: Katie DeSa, SR, Penn State - 3 GP (3-0), 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%, 1 SO

*Tournament scoring leader

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Tessa Janecke, SR, F, Penn State

SCORES
NO. 1 PENN STATE 3 - NO. 2 MERCYHURST 2
BOX SCORE
Penn State Goals: Mya Vaslet, Nicole Hall, Katelyn Roberts
Mercyhurst Goals: Abby Poitras, Berlin Lolacher

ABOUT ATLANTIC HOCKEY AMERICA
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is in its second season following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.

Connect with AHA on X (@Atlantic_Hockey), Instagram (@atlantichockeyamerica) and Facebook (Atlantic Hockey America).


Watch AHA games on FloHockey this season.