After dismantling a Rutgers Lady Scarlet Knights te am 15-0 last weekend, the Penn State Lady Icers look to keep the win wagon rolling when they return to the ice this weekend in two non-league games.
The Icers (5-1) will first take their aim at the University of Rochester women's ice hockey team Saturday at 3:45 p.m., before looking to avenge last season's loss to the adult club Syracuse Warriors at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will be played on the road.
The Icers will take a key trip to the Great Midwest beginning Nov. 16. The Icers will have to be on top of their game when battling the highly touted University of Michigan, Western Michigan and Michigan State hockey teams next week.
"We're looking at it as a good warm-up for our big trip to Michigan," sophomore Faryn Shapiro said.
Rochester, led by coach Dave Maksymiu, has tapped off the fresh season with a 1-2 mark after finishing last year with a 2-6 record.
Although not highly regarded, the team plays off their strong foundation in net, as senior goalie Awista Ayub has been said to catch fire once in a while, and knock down some shots. Not only is Ayub impressive in between the posts, but the determined senior founded Rochester's women's club team in 1999. Saturday's game with Rochester will mark the first time the two teams go head-to-head.
"I heard it shouldn't be that tough of a game," freshmen Alex McVicker said. "It should be a good game to get us warmed up against Syracuse. Get us in a hockey state of mind."
The experienced Syracuse Warriors adult club team works the ice with a physical, bruising style for all 45 minutes, as they bust up their opponent with an array of contact and checking, before their challenger eventually wears down. Last year the Warriors black-and-blued the Icers in the Eerie Valentine Tournament on route to a 5-1 victory over Penn State.
"They were a tough team who broke our consistency and wore us down from the beginning of the game until the last three seconds," captain Lauren Shaw said.
McVicker added, "We're looking to have a pretty good game against Syracuse. We're looking to go out and get some revenge on them."
The Warriors, coached by Mike McFadden, play with women ages 21-45, and boast quite a trio. Michelle Coates, Michelle Zoanetti and Michelle Pigula make up a three-headed monster that should prove tough to contain on Sunday.
The Icers have been gearing towards Syracuse by working on battle drills in front of the net, along with full forechecking breakouts in hopes to frustrate the Warriors, who will be playing their first game of the year.
"We know their game, and we know how to match it and take advantage of the open ice that too much physical play brings about," Shaw said.
