UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As a defensive-minded coach, Jeff Kampersal can't ask for much more of his team than the performance they turned in last weekend.
Back-to-back shutouts in last weekend's home opening series of the season against RPI helped the Lions get back to .500, and Kampersal was pleased with the form his team had in their own end.
"I thought we possessed the puck a lot this past weekend," Kampersal said. "If we're not giving it up, we aren't giving them chances to score. Chantal [Burke] made some big saves at key times, and she's getting better every day as well. Our forwards are doing a great job back pressuring."
Burke (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) was also named the CHA's Goaltender of the Week, turning in 24 saves over the course of the series. She became just the second Nittany Lion ever to post two shutouts in back-to-back starts (Daniela Paniccia, Oct. 27-28, 2016).
In only facing so few shots, Burke showed how mentally sharp she can be with the puck on the other end of the ice for long stretches of both contests. Part of that is a testament to how Penn State's defense played in front of her, suffocating any sort of offense RPI had in mind.
Top pairing Kate Rydland (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Morgan Rolph (Mitchell, Ontario) combined for a +3 plus/minus over the series. Both players mentioned their ability to create synergy both on and off the ice, and how it carries over to the team's defensive culture.
"I think off the ice we've had a really good friendship for the past three years," Rydland said.
"We're always joking that one year, we'll play together and this year we got put together. We're really honest with each other, we help out when needed and we both know our strengths and have really good communication."
"We're both really strong defense-minded players," Rolph said. "We counterbalance each other and as a group, our defensive core has offensive ability and I agree with Kate that we have great chemistry on and off the ice."
Kampersal and the coaching staff have definitely noticed the chemistry that they've built and hope the team can continue that on-ice communication into upcoming games.
"Yeah, we as a coaching staff were talking about the synergy that they have and how it exists," Kampersal said. "I think all three pairs have some special traits to them, but with Morgan and Kate they're communicating well. They understand their games between their strengths and how to play certain angles which I think is important."
Rydland and Rolph also mentioned good practice habits as part of the reason for the team's success defensively, based on drills they do during the week.
"During practice, we separate into forward and defensive groupings," Rolph said. "We focus on knowing where we are on the ice, where we need to be, and knowing how to execute. Focusing specifically on our core defense this year has helped us so far."
"As a defensive unit, we're tight," Rydland said. "We all know exactly what our jobs are and we have great relationships with the coaches talking about points of emphasis during games."
That defensive unit has battled together all season, and they will look to keep that momentum going forward together.
Kampersal knows the challenge that lies ahead as the team travels up to Providence this weekend to take on the Friars.
"Providence will be the best test that we have to see exactly where we're at right now," Kampersal said. "Last year we were in very close games with them, and hopefully we match that this weekend and come out on the winning side."
The Nittany Lions will face the Friars in Providence starting at 6 p.m. on Friday and conclude the series Saturday at 3 p.m.
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