March 3, 2016
BUFFALO, N.Y. - A quartet of Nittany Lions received College Hockey America (CHA) regular season awards Thursday night, as announced at the annual CHA banquet.
Amy Petersen (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Celine Whitlinger (Garden Grove, Calif.) were named to the All-CHA Second Team, while Micayla Catanzariti (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) was honored with the Co-Best Defensive Forward award and Jill Holdcroft (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.) received the Individual Sportsmanship award. Along with the four individual awards, the Nittany Lions picked up the CHA's Team Sportsmanship award.
On the year, Petersen tallied eight goals, a career-best 19 assists and a career-best 27 points. Petersen's 27 points this season leads the Blue and White and is tied for seventh-best in the CHA and her 19 assists are a team-best and ranks tied for fifth in the league. Heading into the CHA semifinal round against Syracuse, Petersen has tallied 16 points over the past 15 games.
Whitlinger joins Petersen on the All-CHA second team. During her senior season, Whitlinger has a record of 7-10-4, which includes a program-record four shutouts.
Whitlinger leads the CHA in goals against average (1.50) and save percentage (.947). Her 1.50 goals against average is sixth-best in the NCAA, while her save percentage of .947 ranks second in the NCAA.
Catanzariti, a senior, has netted five points (4g, 1a) during the 2015-16 season. Her four goals this year are a career-best, while her five points ties a career-best from her freshman season.
In conference play this season, Holdcroft played in all 20 contests and was penalized twice.
For the third-straight year, the Nittany Lions captured the CHA's Team Sportsmanship Award, given to the team that is assessed the least amount penalty minutes during conference play. In CHA play, Penn State averaged 6.9 penalty minutes per game, almost a full minute less than Lindenwood (7.8).
The Nittany Lions are back in action on Friday, March 4, against Syracuse in the CHA semifinal round inside the Harbor Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Puck drop is slated for 3:30 p.m.
2015-16 College Hockey America Regular Season Awards
All-Conference First Team
Forwards
Shara Jasper - SR - Lindenwood University
Stephanie Grossi - SO - Syracuse University
Brittany Howard - R-SO - Robert Morris University
Defense
Nicole Renault - SR - Syracuse University
Mikaela Lowater - JR - Robert Morris University
Goalie
Nicole Hensley - SR - Lindenwood University
All-Conference Second Team
Forwards
Melissa Piacentini - SR - Syracuse University
Jessica Sibley - JR - Syracuse University
Amy Petersen - JR - Penn State University
Defense
J'Nai Mahadeo - SR - Mercyhurst University
Megan Quinn - SO - Syracuse University
Goalie
Celine Whitlinger - SR - Penn State University
All-Rookie Team
Forwards
Rachael Smith - Mercyhurst University
Shannon Morris-Reade - Lindenwood University
Sarah Quaranta - Robert Morris University
Defense
Maggie LaGue - Robert Morris University
Reagan Rust - Rochester Institute of Technology
Molly Blasen - Mercyhurst University
Goalie
Sarah McDonnell - Mercyhurst University
Coach of the Year
Mike Sisti - Mercyhurst University
Player of the Year
Melissa Piacentini - SR - F - Syracuse University
Rookie of the Year
Rachael Smith - FR - F - Mercyhurst University
Scoring Trophy (Two Tied ---> Two Awards)
Stephanie Grossi - SO - F - Syracuse University
Jessica Sibley - JR - F - Syracuse University
Goaltender Trophy
Sarah McDonnell - FR - Mercyhurst University
Best Defensive Forward (Co-Winners ---> Two Trophies)
Jessica Sibley - JR - F - Syracuse University
Micayla Catanzariti - SR - F - Penn State University
Best Defenseman
Nicole Renault - SR - D - Syracuse University
Individual Sportsmanship
Jill Holdcroft - SR - F - Penn State University
Team Sportsmanship - Penn State University
Regular Season Trophy - Mercyhurst University