Skaters from Penn State and Mercyhurst earn CHA weekly honors

A hockey player skating on the ice over the blue line. — Mercyhurst's Vanessa Upson (24) skates in a game against Penn State on Jan. 23, 2023.

By Sydney Wolf

January 10, 2024 at 11:30 AM

BOSTON — Skaters from Penn State and Mercyhurst have swept the weekly honors from College Hockey America for their outstanding performances to start the New Year.

Lyndie Lobdell and Karolina Hengelmüller of Penn State along with Ena Nystrom and Vanessa Upson of Mercyhurst were recognized by the CHA for their on-ice play in early January.

CHA Forward of the Week: Vanessa Upson

Mercyhurst junior Vanessa Upson is Forward of the Week after helping the Lakers split a weekend series at home against No. 14-ranked Yale. The Ontario native scored both of Mercyhurst's goals in the 2-0 shutout victory on Saturday. The 20-year-old also won 27 faceoffs over the two-game series. Upson now is fourth on the Lakers roster in overall scoring in 2023-24 with 16 points through 22 contests. This is the eighth CHA weekly honor of her NCAA career. Mercyhurst is currently receiving votes in the national polls after the weekend split with the Bulldogs.

A hockey player skating in the corner of the ice. No one else is seen around her. — Mercyhurst's Vanessa Upson skates in a game against Penn State on Jan. 23, 2023.

Brianna Brooks of Penn State earned an honorable mention this week for netting a goal and two assists in Penn State's weekend split with Union.

CHA Rookie of the Week: Karolina Hengelmüller

Penn State freshman Karolina Hengelmüller is Rookie of the Week after a solid performance for the Nittany Lions in a split with Union over the weekend. The Austrian defender scored her first collegiate goal in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Garnet Chargets. She also registered two blocks and three total shots on goal in the weekend series. This is the first time that she has earned a weekly honor from College Hockey America.

A hockey player skating across the blue line with the puck. You can see her goalie in the background. One defender is chasing her closely behind. — Penn State's Karolina Hengelmüller skates with the puck in a game against Union.

CHA Goaltender of the Week: Ena Nystrom

Merychurst graduate student Ena Nystrom is Goaltender of the Week after helping propel the Lakers to a split with No. 14-ranked Yale. The Norwegian netminder stopped 73 of 74 shots in the series, including a 46-save shutout in Saturday's 2-0 victory. Nystrom now has 12 shutouts in her NCAA career which ranks second in the CHA among all active goaltenders in the conference. This is the 11th time that she has earned a CHA weekly honor.

Natalie Ferenc of Lindenwood and Annie Spring of Penn State earned honorable mentions for the award. Ferenc stopped 37 of 41 shots on goal against RV Minnesota State while Spring took a 6-2 win over Union on Jan. 6.

A hockey goaltender stands tall and prepared in goal. — Mercyhurst netminder Ena Nystrom.

CHA Defender of the Week: Lyndie Lobdell

Penn State senior Lyndie Lobdell is Defender of the Week after posting a goal and an assist in a split with Union in early January. The Illinois native also registered four total shots on goal. Lobdell is currently the top-scoring defender for the Nittany Lions with 12 points over 22 games played in 2023-24. She is currently second in career points scored in the CHA among all active defenders. This is the fifth time that she has received a CHA weekly award.