After narrowly missing the ACHA National Tournament last year, the Penn State Lady Icers return with a more experienced roster and a coaching staff that hopes to return to Nationals.

After a season-opening win against Pennsylvania and a 1-3 showing at the Great Lakes Women's College Hockey Showcase in Michigan, the Lady Icers will travel to play Rhode Island this weekend. The teams will play two games, Saturday night at 7 and Sunday afternoon at 1.

Historically, Rhode Island has proven to be one of the better teams in the ECWHL, finishing last season ranked fourth in the country. Rhode Island has also dominated Penn State lately, defeating the Lady Icers by a combined score of 24-3 in the team's two meetings last year.

However, the team will get a boost this weekend from the return of last year's leading scorer, Jess Waldron, who didn't make the trip to Michigan because of pneumonia.

Playing such a difficult opponent early in the season will provide the Lady Icers with an idea of where they stand in their conference.

"It is going to be a big test for our team," Waldron said.

Though the team struggled in Michigan, one bright spot was the play of freshman Alicia Lepore, who scored eight goals during the tournament, giving her a team-leading 11 on the year. This came as no surprise to head coach Michael Brinton, who expects big things from Lepore this year.

"I would not be shocked if she leads the nation in scoring this year," Brinton said.

Lepore heads an impact-freshmen class this year, which also includes defensemen Elizabeth Stellmann and Ceili Stahl.

"They don't sit back just because they're freshmen," Waldron said.

Waldron and Lepore, both expected to be key players this season, have developed a rivalry of sorts.

"Alicia and I have a friendly competition; we want what's best for the team though," Waldron said.

Goaltending will also be a strength for this year's team, with veterans Melanie Kleinmann and Gena Goldbaum both impressing Brinton in the early going.

"The goaltenders have really stepped up this year," Brinton said. "I feel both of them have made strides."

He also said he feels goaltending is the most important aspect of the sport.

"Goaltending is number one, number two and number three," he said. "If you can't stop the goals, it doesn't matter how many you score."

In his second year, Brinton also feels he is better prepared to coach the team. Last year was Brinton's first year coaching women, and he struggled to adjust to the differences at first. Brinton said the women's game is approached differently, partly because it is not as physical. He also said that a coach must deal with women differently than men.

"Coaching women is different," he said. "They react differently. You have to get to know your players."

According to Waldron, Brinton has adjusted well.

"He has a year of experience," Waldron said. "He knows how to approach us now."