Oct. 4, 2013
By Jackson Thibodeau, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - This week last year, the Penn State women's hockey team was not only gearing up for their first road trip of the season--but their first ever game as a Division I program.
For the second straight year, the Nittany Lions will kick off their season in Burlington with a two-game series against Vermont. Although this week's itinerary looks strikingly similar to that of a season ago, the team's level of confidence heading into opening night has certainly improved.
"Last year we were a very close team right off the bat, but this year we are definitely more comfortable with each other," said sophomore defender and assistant captain Jordin Pardoski.
"It is comforting to have a year under our belts," Pardoski added.
Even the student-athletes without a year of collegiate competition under their belts have displayed a sense of confidence so far in preseason practice.
"I love the way they're fitting in," said head coach Josh Brandwene in reference to the four freshmen on the squad. "They're hard working, they're humble and they're great players."
The Nittany Lions split their season-opening series with the Catamounts last year, earning a 5-3 victory in the program's first NCAA contest.
Making comparisons to the inaugural season isn't what Brandwene wants his team to focus on, however.
"The biggest thing for us is to live in the present moment," Brandwene said. "We are living in the now and we are living in this season and we're excited about our opportunities this season."
One of the unique opportunities that the team is excited about this season is competing in the state-of-the-art Pegula Ice Arena. Not only does the stunning facility offer a promising future for the program, but it is also providing great benefits to the team in the present moment.
"Our chemistry has boosted 100 percent," Pardoski said. "We are with each other almost 24/7 whether it is living with each other or being in the arena together."
Contributing to the boost in team chemistry is the numerous resources offered to the student-athletes within the facility. Relaxing player lounges and study lounges allow the team to spend even more time together off the ice.
"There are good vibes all around us right now," said sophomore forward Micayla Catanzariti, who is coming off an impressive freshman campaign in which she led the team in blocks (57) and tallied five points.
Chemistry will prove to be vital to the second-year program as a challenging schedule filled with several formidable opponents awaits them.
Following the opening series with Vermont (Oct. 4-5), the Nittany Lions' will head to Hamden, Conn., for a two-game test against Quinnipiac (Oct. 11-12) --a team that posted an impressive 13-6-3 record in the talented ECAC a season ago.
After the four-game road stint, Penn State will return home to Hockey Valley for the game that the program has been anxiously awaiting--the first home contest on their new ice. Opposing the Nittany Lions in the opening home series will be Union (Oct. 18-19).
Other attention-grabbing games of the upcoming season are road contests against NCAA Frozen Four semifinalist Mercyhurst (Dec. 6-7) and CHA rival Ohio State (Jan. 3-4).
As far as the postseason goes, the CHA Tournament will follow the same outline as last year in which all six teams (Mercyhurst, Lindenwood, Penn State, Robert Morris, Syracuse and RIT) will qualify. The conference's top two seeds will earn byes into the semifinal round and the remaining four teams will compete in three-game series' from Feb. 28 to March 2. The semifinals and final will be held March 7-8.
"We're going to get tested by great competition every single day that we step on the ice, and that's a real opportunity that stands in front of us," Brandwene said.
Despite the strength of the schedule, team leaders are urging the rest of the squad to not spend too much time worrying about the tough competition.
"The schedule is really exciting, but I think we just need to worry about ourselves and not our opponents," said senior forward and captain Taylor Gross.
The Nittany Lions are returning nearly all of their offensive production and defensive power from a season ago. Over 98 percent of their goals from 2012-13 will be accounted for again this year, while defensively they welcome back senior net minder Nicole Paniccia--who ranked second in the NCAA in saves last year.
The five-month-long season will present several challenges to the team, but increases in chemistry and confidence have the potential to make 2013-14 a very successful campaign for the Blue and White.