With morale on the up-and-up, a united group of warriors and early season success, the 2001 Penn State Lady Icers are on their way to quite a dance.
Following a season in which the Icers captured the Eastern Division title in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), 2001 was quoted as a rebuilding year after the exodus of several key seniors. But a group of hungry youngsters coupled with a strong returning cast has got the Icers thinking title once again.
Coach Billie Willits, in this just her second season, has already set a high mark for success at Penn State.
"Our goals are to go to nationals and win," Willits said. "We want to improve with each game of the season, and we want to play consistently strong hockey."
So far this season the Lady Icers have been nothing short of brilliant. The Icers have rattled and rolled their way to a 4-1 mark. The women ruined rival Maryland 11-1, and followed up their dominating performance with another 13-0 embarrassment of the Terrapins. Penn State hustled Rhode Island 14-2, and reached a milestone in finally knocking off the Erie Lady Lions 8-7.
But the Icers most impressive game may have been their only loss to date. Facing a Boston University team set to move up to the Div. I ranks in the near future, the Lady Icers played extremely well with the Terriers for all three periods, before falling 3-2.
Impressive for a team that has only been in existence since 1996.
"We played really well," said winger Faryn Shapiro. "It was a very disappointing loss. It was a game we could have won. We know that's the level of play we'll be seeing at nationals."
Two strong lines and a bruising set of defenders has been the recipe for success for the 2001 squad. A first line of center Andrea Lavelle, backed by wingers Katie King and Alex McVicker have dominated opponents with their Flash Gordon like speed, extreme strength and superior knowledge of the game.
A second, smaller line headed by assistant captain Lauren Shaw at center, with Shapiro and Kate Connolly on the wings has displayed great speed and the ability to use their smaller frames well against larger opponents.
A physical, knowledgeable defense of Stephanie Feyock, Becky Holmes, Kristen Reed, captain Jen McDevitt and Courtney Izett have put on a clinic protecting senior goalie Jessica Gurskey in the early goings of the season.
"Things are going really well," said Feyock. "I definitely expect to go to nationals and make a run at Georgia (host of nationals)."
The third and fourth lines are made up of rookies. The newcomers have come together quickly, improving their skating by the day, and also learning to work in a new system in this their first season. The youngsters bring potential to an already stacked team, and are showing opponents Penn State may be a force in the Eastern Division for years to come.
"The team is very positive so far", said Coach Willits. "We've got our eyes set on nationals. The girls know they're strong skaters, and they want to get better."
Coach Willits, along with assistants Jeremy Sharpe and Derek Arledge, scheduled a grueling schedule for the Lady Icers. The Icers are set to go to war with interstate rivals University of Buffalo and Pittsburgh in upcoming matches.
The Icers will have their hands full on a road trip pinning Penn State up against the likes of Western Michigan, Michigan State and the University of Michigan.
The Wolverines are a typically strong unit that will also be moving to Div. I in upcoming years.
The Lady Icers are an extremely young club, with this just their fifth full season. Although still just babies to the ACHA, it is a dream of the Icers to someday get a chance to move into Div. I when the time is right for both the university, and the club.
But for now the Icers will be focusing on reaching their goals, and knocking off regional foe Rutgers this Saturday at 3:15 p.m at the Greenberg Sports Complex.
With a talented team working as one, and standards set high, the 2001 Lady Icers are primed for a special season.
