It takes an immeasurable amount of courage to step into anything for the first time knowing that you’ll be competing with and against experienced talent. And when that thing happens to have a learning curve as steep as hockey’s, it’s all the more impressive.

Ann Li had only limited experience even being on skates, let alone playing hockey prior to lacing up with us this season, but she came to every practice and game with a fantastic attitude, and will to improve. One of the greatest hurdles adults face when trying to learn to play hockey is just to be OK with falling over in front of other people. Nobody likes to look vulnerable, it’s human nature. But she embraced early on the idea that the only way to get better was to push her limits, and that falling was the only real way to find them. Because of this she was easily our most improved player over the course of the year, and by mid-season she worked her way into picking up some points around the net. Ann Li’s attitude and determination are genuinely admirable, we are excited to see her continued growth and contribution to the team in season two.

Aleah had never played hockey prior to this season but really made huge strides as a player from the beginning of the season all the way through to the end.  She was eager to learn and was regularly looking for ways to improve, she also motivated others to improve as well and was an incredible asset to the team.  She stepped up in big ways during games and throughout the season.  When our team lost integral players to injury and study abroad Aleah stepped up and filled the role of center.  We only had two centers and have a very young team and Aleah filled her new role very well and continued to improve.  She was a wonderful addition to the team this year.

Hannah came into Penn never having played ice hockey before, and really shocked our team by how much she was able to improve in only a year.  She scored her first goal this past season, and has been able to make key plays happen on the ice.  Hannah is at every practice (on ice and off) and at every game.  She always is trying to improve and is never satisfied with staying at the same level. 

When we were again left with no goalie for the year, Ayanna was so gracious as to strap in and step up as goalie, despite never having set a single toe on ice in her life. Although we started out the season with a tough loss against Columbia, her ambition makes her a fast learner and a hard worker. By the end of the season, she had played a shutout game against IUP, and she was invaluable in our efforts during the playoffs. We couldn't have gotten our third-place victory without her. We wish her luck as she pursues her dreams of medical school!