Following a season in which Penn State women’s hockey secured its second consecutive conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth, the Nittany Lions begin the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 12 in the USCHO Preseason Poll.

Penn State was the only AHA member ranked ahead of the season. However, it will face ranked sides Northeastern (No. 11), Cornell (No. 6), and Minnesota (No. 3) during the regular season.

Headlined by the return of newly anointed captain Tessa Janecke, the Nittany Lions are returning much of their scoring production from the previous season. Including Janecke, Penn State returned all five of the team’s leading point scorers.

In goal, Penn State welcomed back Katie DeSa, who was an intricate part of the Nittany Lions’ success after Josie Bothun suffered an injury that sidelined the netminder for the remainder of the season.

Penn State will open its season at home against No. 13 Northeastern at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. The game will be streamed on BTN+.