Nov. 6, 2015
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By Jack Milewski, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Four years ago, the Penn State women's hockey program was born. In the years of the team's existence, they have steadily climbed the ranks of college hockey and garnered more and more attention as each season passes. Four years ago as well, senior Jill Holdcroft had just made the decision to go to Penn State, largely because of the fact that the team had just implemented the hockey program.
Holdcroft was born in Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania, just a hop, skip and a jump from State College. Living only 20 minutes down the road, Penn State had always been a consideration for Holdcroft as to the college she wanted to attend. However, she was also a prominent high school hockey player, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elitie Tier 1 AAA girls team and also playing two years for the State College High boys team, and at the time Penn State's lack of a hockey program made it a tougher decision. When Holdcroft learned that Penn State was starting a program and actively recruiting her, the decision was a no brainer.
"Penn State was always in the back of my head," said Holdcroft. "I really liked the school and as soon as they decided to have a Division I team it was kind of no comparison and I wanted to come here right away."
Holdcroft is one of the founding members of the Penn State women's hockey team, in the sense that she has been with the team from the beginning. Coach Josh Brandwene has also been with the team from the beginning and he understands just how important players like Holdcroft are to building a successful program.
"This senior class, they are pioneers," said Brandwene. "They wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves and that's really Penn State at its core."
In her first season on the team, Holdcroft had 10 goals, second on the Nittany Lions team. However she has proved a versatile member of the team for all four years she has been here, stepping into any role she is assigned and flourishing in it.
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