The Lindenwood women's hockey team will open the 2019 season this weekend, playing host to No. 1 Wisconsin at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo.  Game one will begin at 7:10 p.m. on Friday, while game two is set for a 1:00 p.m. puck drop on Saturday.

Along with the new arena, the Lions are under new direction with the hiring of Shelley Looney this past summer.  Looney comes to Lindenwood after spending many years with USA Hockey, finding great success as a player and a coach.  In 1998, Looney scored the game-winning goal to lead the United States to an Olympic gold medal in Nagano, Japan.  Most recently, Looney served as the head coach for the 2017 and 2019 World University Women's National Team.

The Lions return leading scorer Jada Burke who was named to the CHA all-rookie team in 2018-19.  Burke scored 11 goals and pitched in five assists in her first year of collegiate hockey.  Sierra Burt earned second-team all-CHA last year, after posting nine goals and 10 assists as a sophomore.

Sophie Wolf will return for her second season and the starting netminder.  Wolf was named to the CHA all-rookie team in 2018-19, while registering a 2.87 goals against average in her 25 games played as a freshman.

Lindenwood returns five of its top six point getters from a season ago.  The Badgers will visit Maryland Heights, Mo. after winning the 2019 NCAA National Championship.  Wisconsin returns Abby Roque who tallied 43 points in 2018-19, and Kristen Campbell who posted a 1.03 goals against average in her 41 games played.