Feb. 24, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions not only finished the regular season, but also participated in their first ever THON Pep Rally as a Division I program.
Despite falling, 4-1, to conference foe Robert Morris (11-17-5, 8-8-4 CHA) on both Friday and Saturday, Penn State (15-15-4, 9-9-2 CHA) earned its highest postseason seeding in program history. The Nittany Lions earned a No. 4 seed this year after earning No. 6 seeds each of the past two seasons.
"This team has worked very hard, and we are going to have a home playoff series, and it's something everybody is looking forward to," said head coach Josh Brandwene.
Saturday's matinee also featured a Senior Day celebration for graduating junior Kendra Rasmussen and student manager Sammy Sarsfield. Both have been integral parts to the development of the young program and will certainly be missed.
"Two wonderful human beings surrounded by people who love them," said Brandwene and the graduates. "Just a really special moment on the ice that's for sure."
With such supportive fans all season long, it came as no surprise when the 821 fans in attendance Saturday afternoon stayed for the senior celebration to give thanks to two individuals who were both dynamic parts of the team.
"From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank [the fans] enough for their support, and the energy they put behind this hockey team," said Brandwene. "This is a special community, students and folks who live here alike. And to see the support that we have is just really special."
Games aside, Penn State's Dance Marathon, or THON, took center stage in University Park. A short walk across University Drive from Pegula Ice Arena leads to the Bryce Jordan Center, the site where over 15,000 Penn State students effortlessly spent the weekend raising awareness and over $13 million for the fight against pediatric cancer.
"We're here to work hard. We're here to push ourselves and achieve, but when you take a step back and you know what's going on across the street, and the kind of money that's being raised for such an important cause, and so many families that have been so affected by this horrible disease, it just puts it all in perspective for you," said Brandwene.
What made THON 2015 so special for the women's hockey team is that this was the very first year the squad was home to dance in the Pep Rally. On Saturday night, the players certainly provided the 700-plus dancers, standing for 46 hours without sleeping, some much needed energy to keep going.
"It's that broader, bigger picture," said Brandwene. "You grind away day-to-day. You go to class. You come to the rink. You keep working and grinding, and when you get that moment where you can, not only step back and see what's going on, but to also actually be a part of it, it really makes it special."
Additionally, Brandwene expressed some heartfelt words to the dancers.
"First I'd thank [the dancers] and just express my gratitude for what they're doing," said Brandwene. "It's a pretty tall task for what they're doing. They put a lot of not only the physical energy but also the emotional energy to be on their feet that long and just knowing the kind of cause that they're working towards, and spending time and interacting with the families. It's incredibly special and just a powerful statement about what the Penn State community really is."
With a large portion of the Penn State community still recovering from THON weekend, the Nittany Lions are already looking ahead to their first ever home playoff series against fifth-seeded Lindenwood, a team the Blue and White split four games with this season.
"We're looking forward to [Lindenwood]," said Brandwene. "It's that moment of the season where the reset button gets hit for everybody...we're really chomping at the bit to get at it."
Penn State will commence its best-of-three series against the Lady Lions (10-19-2, 7-11-2 CHA) on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Game two will be played on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and, if necessary, a decisive third contest on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.