Katie Desa flourishes in net after Josie Bothun injury

In a recent series against Syracuse, Josie Bothun went down and did not return. Head coach Jeff Kampersal announced shortly after that Bothun would be out for the season with an undisclosed injury.

The loss of the Penn State superstar goalie was bad news for Penn State but seemingly Katie DeSa would step up and rise to the occasion.

The Connecticut native played for the 19U Boston Jr. Eagles of the AAA and earned an alternate spot on the 2022 USA U18 National Team prior to Penn State.

Last season, DeSa made her debut on September 23rd relieving Bothun in a blowout loss. DeSa would make 2 saves but let in 5 goals.

Her first career victory came last season against Franklin Pierce on Oct. 24, where she saved 11 of 12 shots. It was also her first career start.

In the game following Bothun’s injury, DeSa pitched a shutout for the Nittany Lions by stopping all 12 shots. DeSa looked a bit nervous in that game but the defense stood tall for her.

In the next game, DeSa looked extremely sharp, stopping 20 out of 21 shots. It was very clear that her confidence, positioning, angles and rebound control looked very good.

“She looked explosive and she had presence,” Kampersal said after Game 1. “She looks like she’s on top of her crease taking down angles… on the bummer side I wish we preserved the shutout for her.”

In Game 2, DeSa stood out yet again. Ironically DeSa stopped 20 of 21 shots again. She looked calm and poised and was ready to make the big-time saves that she needed to.

Penn State won that game 6-1 but in the first two periods, the game was quite close and DeSa had to step up.

“Anytime it’s like the next woman up, Josie is again like a Penn State legend and to go in the last three games and do what she’s done is awesome,” Kampersal said after the Game 2 win. “I just felt like Katie was very explosive, really good down low and was in control of rebounds… She did an awesome job.”

The word “explosive” was used quite a bit by Kampersal and he is completely rightful to say that. Watching DeSa in both games against Lindenwood it was easy to see that she was on top of her crease and ready for any shot to come at her.

Once the first goal went in for Lindenwood in both games, it seemed like that was all they were going to get.

“It’s been huge,” Brianna Brooks said following her two-goal game. “Katie has done awesome and I know she’s very motivated to get in a couple of games and she’s worked hard all season for this so I know she’s ready.”

DeSa has a 1.00 GAA in four games played this season. She also has an exceptional .941 save percentage with a 3-1-0 record.

This next series for DeSa will be huge and Kampersal will most likely stick with her in the net forbidding any injuries.

This series for Penn State is huge as Mercyhurst sits right behind them in the CHA standings by just two points.

This is a huge chance for DeSa to show the hockey world who she is and wow them away. It’s a huge task at hand but is very rewarding if successful.

Matt Becker is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mcb6250@psu.edu.