All the Lady Icers could talk about after their tournament in Erie this past weekend was the impression the Chesapeake Lightning left on them. In the second of three games played by the Lady Icers, Chesapeake won 3-0.

Though Penn State lost, coach Billie Willits said her team played a strong game.

"Chesapeake is big. They are fast, they are quick, and they play good position hockey," Willits said. "They have strong shots on the ice. They are a team we would like to emulate."

Lady Icer Jeannine Kausch was equally impressed.

"They were excellent in all aspects of their game," Kausch said.

"It seems like every time we had the puck, there was one of their girls on us. They used their points very well. They had good cycling too."

Penn State forward Faryn Shapiro said Chesapeake was the biggest challenge of the three teams that the Lady Icers faced.

The Lady Icers faired better in the previous game, when they faced the Ohio Flames.

The Lady Icers played their first game well, winning the game 6-3. This was an important win since it marks the first time the Lady Icers have ever won a game in the Erie Tournament.

Andrea Lavelle scored on four different occasions for the Lady Icers, while Captain Ellen Zajko and newcomer to the team Alex McVicker each tapped in a goal of their own.

Willits was happy with the win and the effort her team put out.

"We played very well," Willits said. "We had good speed, good energy in the goal, and strong defense."

The third game of the weekend was against the Syracuse Warriors. The Warriors earned a 5-1 victory over the Lady Icers.

"These teams were a lot stronger than the teams we've been playing," Kausch said.

"I think that we have to work together as a team. Keep trying even when we get down a couple of goals. We did that in the two games we lost."

Despite the two losses, the Lady Icers were thrilled to have beaten the Ohio Flames.

"Everybody seemed like they had a good time," Kausch said.

Shapiro, who experienced the Erie Valentine Tournament for the first time this year, thought that seeing new teams in the tournament would help the Lady Icers in the future.

"I think playing against that type of speed and physical play will help set us up for nationals," Shapiro said, "because we will be seeing new teams there too."

The Lady Icers will be back at home this Saturday to take on Chatham College at 3:10 p.m. in the Greenberg Sports Complex. In their last meeting, Penn State defeated Chatham 6-4.