The Lindenwood women's hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the College Hockey America (CHA) preseason poll, which was released on Wednesday. The Lions received 10 points in the poll.

Last season, Lindenwood compiled a record of 6-22-1, with all victories coming at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo. In early December of last year, the Lions earned four-straight victories for the first time in 2011-12, with sweeps of RIT and St. Thomas.

The 2022-23 roster will feature eight newcomers, who will surround some key returning pieces. Named a CHA Rookie of the Week once a year ago, Morgan Neitzke comes back for her sophomore campaign after posting 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) a year ago, which ranked third on the squad. Senior netminder Natalie Ferenc will be a key piece between the pipes this season. The West Bloomfield, Mich. native stopped 451 shots on her way to posting 3.87 goals against average to go along with a .897 save percentage, all tops among Lindenwood goaltenders.

This year's schedule contains 30 games, 16 of which will take place at Centene Community Ice. The Lions will play 14 games inside the CHA.

Lindenwood will open the year with two-consecutive series on the road against Bemidji State and Wisconsin, respectively. Lindenwood faced the Beavers for the first time since 2019 a year ago, taking them to overtime in the second game of the series, before falling by a score of 4-3. The Lions opened the season against the Badgers in 2021-22, who entered the series ranked No. 1 in the country.

Lindenwood's home opener on Friday, October 28 will also mark the beginning of conference play. The Lions are scheduled to take on Penn State in a two-game series. Last season, Lindenwood played the Nittany Lions tough as it jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in game one before falling 5-3. Penn State finished the 2021-22 campaign with an 18-10-5 record, including a 8-3-3 mark inside the CHA.

The Lions will have four-consecutive home series in the middle of the season, which include Ohio State, Minnesota State, Mercyhurst and Syracuse. Lindenwood picked up one win over the Lakers and the Orange, respectively during the 2021-22 campaign. Syracuse captured its second ever CHA title last season.

Lindenwood will wrap-up its home slate with a two-game series against RIT on February 10 and 11. Last season, the Lions went 2-1-2 against the Tigers, including a series sweep of RIT in early December of last year. RIT ousted Lindenwood from the CHA Tournament last season. 

The Lions open the regular season on September 23 at Bemidji State. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m.

2022-23 CHA Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rk.  Team (1st Votes)         Points
1.     Penn State (4)               20     
2.     Syracuse (1)                  16
3.     Mercyhurst                    15
4.     Lindenwood                      10
5.     RIT                                8