Penn State women’s hockey was voted No. 1 in the 2024-25 Atlantic Hockey America Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday. Along with the ranking, junior forward Tessa Janecke, graduate defenseman Lyndie Lobdell, and junior Katie DeSa were named to the preseason All-AHA team.

Penn State starts the season as the favorite in the AHA after securing its second straight regular and tournament title in the 2023 season. Tournament runner-up Mercyhurst was voted to finish second while Robert Morris and RIT were picked to finish third and fourth, respectively.

Janecke was also selected as Preseason Player of the Year. She was named the league’s Player of the Year last season following a career-high-53 point season. Janecke was named AHA Forward of the Week four times and AHA Forward of the Month three times last season.

Lobdell played in all 38 games during the 2023 season, recording a career-high nine goals and 11 assists. She also earned three AHA Defensive Player of the Week honors.

DeSa recorded a .938 save percentage for the 2023 season with a 9-3-2 record in 14 games. She has four shutouts, including one in the AHA Tournament championship.

The Nittany Lions open up the 2024 season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, against Northeastern in Pegula Ice Arena.