Defending regular season champion Penn State tops the CHA preseason coaches’ poll, which was released Thursday.
The Nittany Lions garnered four of four possible first-place votes in balloting among CHA head coaches (coaches could not vote for their own teams) for 20 points, three more than No. 2 Syracuse, which tallied 17 points and received the remaining first-place vote.
In addition, the league announced individual preseason honors as Penn State sophomore forward Kiara Zanon is the preseason player of the year and freshmen forwards Sarah Marchand (Syracuse) and Vanessa Upson (Mercyhurst) are preseason rookies of the year while seven players were named to the preseason All-CHA Team.
2021-22 CHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Penn State (4) 20
2. Syracuse (1) 17
3. Mercyhurst 14
4. Lindenwood 11
5. RIT 8
Coaches’ Preseason All-CHA Team
Forwards
Kiara Zanon, So., Penn State (4 votes)
Abby Moloughney, Sr., Syracuse (3)
Natalie Heising, Sr., Penn State (3)
Defensemen
Jessica DiGirolamo, Gr., Syracuse (4)
Izzy Heminger, Sr., Penn State (3)
Goaltender (tie)
Josie Bothun, So., Penn State (2)
Allison Small, Gr., Syracuse (2)
Coaches could not vote for their own players.
