Oct. 9, 2013
By Jackson Thibodeau, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A combined nine points from the Nittany Lion's four freshmen skaters and a total of 72 saves from the team's tandem of goalies propelled Penn State to an undefeated opening weekend in Vermont.
The season-opening series against the Catamounts (0-1-1) resulted in a 3-3 tie on Friday night and a 4-2 victory for the Blue and White (1-0-1) on Saturday.
Splitting time in the cage over the weekend was senior Nicole Paniccia and sophomore Celine Whitlinger. Getting the start on Friday night was Paniccia, who registered 35 saves and shut down Vermont in the overtime period leading to the tie. On Saturday, Whitlinger turned away 37 shots and allowed just two goals en route to the team's first win of the season.
Utilizing both goaltenders in the series was something that head coach Josh Brandwene and his team had planned on and prepared for leading into the opening weekend.
"They are both fabulous goaltenders and great teammates for each other," Brandwene said. "To have that kind of character and that kind of talent--that's a wonderful thing for our hockey team."
The puck-stopping pair fed off their friendly competition throughout the preseason and will continue to do so down the stretch.
"It takes some of the pressure off of us," Paniccia said. "If you didn't have competition, it wouldn't be as fun."
The net minders weren't alone in slowing down the offensive attack of Vermont, as several skaters in blue and white contributed significant defensive efforts throughout the two games.
True freshman defender Kelly Seward was a key component of that list, easing the pressure on her goaltenders with seven blocked shots throughout the course of the weekend. Seward's aggressive defense and two goals earned her CHA Rookie of the Week honors--an impressive feat for the first week of her collegiate career.
"I don't think much about the individual statistics," Seward said. "I am excited about the honor and I am happy I was able to put up goals to help the team get the win."
Seward is one of just four freshmen on the team this year, each of which impressed during the first outing of collegiate career, with all four skaters registering at least two points in the series.
Linemates Amy Petersen and Laura Bowman recorded impressive plus-three ratings in Saturday's win. The pair entered the season with terrific chemistry, having played with one another since early childhood. The young duo was a part of three consecutive state titles during high school in Minnetonka, Minn.
Joining Bowman and Petersen on the productive young line was sophomore Hannah Hoenshell, who tallied three points - one goal, two assists - and a plus-four rating on Saturday. Her impressive numbers earned her CHA Player of the Week honors.
Rounding out the list of impressive freshmen performances over the weekend was forward Sarah Nielsen, who helped the Lions quickly respond to opponent scores. The Nittany Lions scored within one minute of allowing a goal in four out of five situations in the series.
Nielsen was credited with an assist that tied Friday's contest at two goals apiece and finished the weekend with three points on three assists.
Although the production from the freshmen was impressive, it wasn't a complete surprise for Brandwene and his team.
"It's a credit to their preparation," Brandwene said. "They've got great read and react skills, tremendous hockey IQs and they are just fitting in seamlessly."
Early-season jitters didn't seem to be an issue for the young skaters and nerves will be even more at ease as the team heads into the second weekend of the campaign.
Although the excitement about the home opener is building up, the team is focused on the next task at hand--a road trip to Hamden, Conn. for a two-game weekend series with Quinnipiac.
"We are focused on our process," Brandwene said. "We've done a lot of things well and we've got to keep getting better every single day."
The Bobcats also head into the series with a 1-0-1 record, having earned a 3-1 victory and 0-0 tie in two games against St. Cloud State last weekend.
Friday's puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and Saturday's contest will begin at 4 p.m.
Following the Quinnipiac series, the Nittany Lions will return to Hockey Valley to host their first game in Pegula Ice Arena against Union on Fri., Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.