April 14, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Junior Laura Bowman (Minnetonka, Minn.) has been named the captain of the Penn State women's hockey team for the 2016-17 season as announced by head coach Josh Brandwene. Freshman Kelsey Crow (Minnetonka, Minn.) and junior Amy Petersen (Minnetonka, Minn.) will serve as alternate captains next season.
The Penn State women's hockey team recently completed its fourth season as a varsity program and will graduate its first senior class this spring.
From winning its first-ever game as a varsity program on Oct. 6, 2012, (Vermont 5-3) the women's hockey program has made great strides over its first four years.
After finishing sixth in the College Hockey America (CHA) conference standings during their first two seasons, the Nittany Lions finished fourth in 2014-15 and placed third in 2015-16. The success from the regular season carried over into the CHA Tournament for the Nittany Lions.
After securing their second-straight first round sweep in the CHA Tournament, the 2015-16 season came to a close for the Nittany Lions in a 3-2, three overtime loss against Syracuse in the CHA Semifinals. The Nittany Lions and Orange battled for 116:10 minutes, which rank as the eighth longest game all-time in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey history.
The Nittany Lions lose 12 seniors this spring, but welcome back four of the top six scorers from the 2015-16 season. Along with the majority of team's top-scorers returning, goaltender Hannah Ehresmann (Minnetonka, Minn.) returns for her junior season in net for the Blue and White.
Last season in CHA play, Ehresmann made 137 saves, tallied a save percentage of .938 and recorded a goals against average of 1.47. Ehresmann also made 26 saves en route to Penn State's first-ever win over Ohio State (3-2) on Jan. 3.
"Laura, Amy and Kelsey are the right leaders to take this team to the next level," Brandwene said. "They are experienced leaders and winners who are poised and consistent. They keep the team's needs at the forefront.
"This program is coming off its highest ever regular season finish, a playoff sweep of the defending league champions, and its first road win over a ranked opponent," Brandwene added. "We return four of last season's top-six scorers. Our returning defensive corps is talented and experienced. Hannah Ehresmann comes off a great second semester with the program's first ever win over Ohio State, and we have an outstanding incoming freshman class. I'm excited about where this team is headed."
Over the past two seasons, Bowman has served as the alternate captain for the Blue and White. Last season, she played in all 37 games and tallied 25 points on 17 goals and eight assists. Bowman led the Nittany Lions with a program-best 17 goals last season. A rising senior, she holds the program record of 43 career goals and 11 career power play goals.
Crow played in 25 games during her freshman season for the Nittany Lions. On the year, Crow netted four points on two goals and two assists. Her 39 shot attempts last season ranked eighth on the team and second among Nittany Lion defensemen.
Petersen led the Nittany Lions with a career-best 29 points and a program-record record 21 assists. She ended the year with 18 points over the past 16 games and she recorded an assist on 12 Bowman goals on the year. A rising senior, Petersen also tallied the fifth short-handed goal in program history in a 1-0 win against RIT on Jan. 29. Her 46 career assists are a program record.
The Nittany Lions will welcome seven new student-athletes to the program for the 2016-17 season:
Caileah Forrest (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), Brooke Madsen (Eagan, Minn.), Amanda McLeod (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), Katie McMillan (Excelsior, Minn.), Daniela Paniccia (Oakville, Ontario, Canada), Kate Rydland (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Abby Welch (East Amherst, N.Y.).
For Penn State women's hockey season ticket information, please call 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.