Penn State Women's Ice Hockey
The Penn State Women's Ice Hockey team has come a long way since its founding in 2012. As one of the newest teams in college hockey, the Nittany Lions have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, competing against some of the best teams in the country. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of the program, its current roster and coaching staff, and its prospects for the future.
The Early Years: Building a Foundation
The Penn State Women's Ice Hockey team was founded in 2012, as part of the university's efforts to expand its athletic offerings. The team played its first game on October 6, 2012, against Vermont, and lost by a score of 4-1. The Nittany Lions finished their inaugural season with a record of 7-26-1, but the program was just beginning to take shape.
In the team's second season, head coach Josh Brandwene led the Nittany Lions to a record of 16-16-3, an impressive improvement over the previous year. The team continued to make strides in the following years, including a 19-15-5 record in the 2015-2016 season, which culminated in the program's first trip to the College Hockey America championships.
The Present: A Strong Team and Coaching Staff
The current version of the Penn State Women's Ice Hockey team is a talented and experienced group, with a mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen making significant contributions on the ice. Some of the team's top players include junior forward Natalie Heising, junior defenseman Katie McMillan, and freshman goaltender Chantal Burke.
Leading this team is head coach Jeff Kampersal, who took over the program prior to the 2019-2020 season. Kampersal came to Penn State with an impressive coaching resume, having previously served as the head coach of the Princeton women's hockey team for 22 years. He has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program, and has helped to continue the team's upward trajectory.
The Future: Plans for Growth and Success
The future of the Penn State Women's Ice Hockey program looks bright, with plans in place for continued growth and success. The team is set to move into a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in the coming years, which will provide a top-notch training and game environment for the players.
In addition, the program has made a concerted effort to recruit top talent from around the country and the world, in order to compete at the highest level. With a talented roster and an experienced coaching staff, there is no doubt that the Nittany Lions will continue to make waves in the world of college hockey.
Conclusion
The Penn State Women's Ice Hockey program may be one of the newest teams in college hockey, but it has already established itself as a rising force to be reckoned with. With a strong foundation, a talented roster of players, and a dedicated coaching staff, the team is poised for continued success in the years ahead.
