STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — Ohio State and Penn State will meet for the second straight day Friday afternoon when the Buckeyes visit Pegula Ice Arena for a women’s NCAA Division I hockey game. The Nittany Lions are the home team, while Ohio State is the visitor. The game is set for Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. It follows a tightly contested series opener Thursday, when Ohio State defeated Penn State 2-1 in overtime. That result left Ohio State at 1-0 for the season and Penn State at 0-1. The Buckeyes will try to complete a sweep of the quick two-game set, while the Nittany Lions will look to split the series on their home ice and earn their first win of the young campaign.

Ohio State’s offense found a way to finish in the extra session Thursday, and the Buckeyes will aim to carry that momentum into the rematch. Penn State, meanwhile, will search for a stronger response after pushing the game beyond regulation. The Nittany Lions will need to generate more chances and limit Ohio State’s transition opportunities if they are to turn the series into a split. The Buckeyes will focus on another strong start and a full 60-minute effort before overtime becomes necessary again.

The programs are familiar with each other, and the one-day turnaround adds urgency to the matchup. Penn State will play its second home game of the season at Pegula Ice Arena. Ohio State will continue a road stretch that opened with Thursday’s overtime win. Both teams are in the early stages of their schedules, making the result meaningful for momentum and early-season positioning. Penn State will look to use home ice and avoid a second straight one-goal loss. Ohio State will seek a second straight one-goal win. Ohio State is the visiting team for the second consecutive game at Pegula Ice Arena.

After Friday, Ohio State is scheduled to visit St. Thomas for two games Oct. 2-3. Penn State will host Robert Morris for two games Oct. 2-3. Ohio State’s upcoming slate also includes series against Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colgate and Bemidji State. Penn State’s next stretch features Syracuse, Lindenwood, Saint Lawrence and RIT. The Buckeyes’ next home series is set for Oct. 9-10 against Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions’ first listed road trip is scheduled for Oct. 9-10 at Syracuse. Those games follow a weekend that will test both teams’ depth and ability to adjust quickly.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Penn State 5, Ohio State 4. Interstat’s ELO system gives Ohio State a 64.1 percent probability to win.