UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's ice hockey team was selected fourth in 2018-19 College Hockey America (CHA) Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Penn State finished fourth in the regular season conference standings a season ago with a 6-7-7 mark in CHA play and a 10-15-11 record overall in head coach Jeff Kampersal's first season behind the bench.
The Nittany Lions received votes for as high as second place in the latest version of the coaches' poll as they welcome seven newcomers to roster of 17 returning student-athletes. The Nittany Lions allowed the fewest goals per game in the conference (1.92 GAA) and had the second-best power play (16.3 percent) in the CHA.
Defending CHA Tournament champion Mercyhurst tops the poll with five first-place votes, followed by two-time defending regular season champion Robert Morris. Syracuse was chosen just ahead of the Nittany Lions in third. Lindenwood and RIT rounded out the poll in fifth and sixth. The full poll is listed below:
1. Mercyhurst – 25 points (5 1st Place Votes)
2. Robert Morris – 19 points (1 1st Place Vote)
3. Syracuse – 17 points
4. Penn State – 14 points
5. Lindenwood – 10 points
6. RIT – 5 points
Penn State will play an exhibition against Ryerson this Saturday, Sept. 22, at Pegula Ice Center at 1 p.m. Regular season play starts next Friday, Sept. 28, at NCAA runner-up Colgate. The Nittany Lions' home opener is Friday, Oct. 5, against Merrimack beginning at 6 p.m.
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