BOSTON, Mass. - Sept. 30, 2024 - Atlantic Hockey America is proud to honor four student-athletes as AHA Players of the Week for their outstanding on-ice performances in games of Sept. 26-28, 2024. Week one winners are Robert Morris graduate student Veronica Bac (Forward), Robert Morris sophomore Thalia D'Elia (Defenseman), Penn State junior Katie DeSa (Goaltender), and RIT freshman forward Ireland Stein (Rookie).

AHA FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Veronica Bac, Gr., F, Robert Morris 
In RMU's season opener on Friday night, Veronica Bac produced a point on all three goals (2g, 1a) and scored the game-winning goal on the power play for the Colonials in their 3-1 win over Union. Bac then scored another goal in Saturday's contest. All three of her goals over the weekend came on the power play. She also won 27-of-44 faceoffs (61.4%). Through one weekend of play, Bac leads the AHA in goals (3), points (4), power play goals (3), and points per game (2.00).

Honorable Mention: Tessa Janecke, Jr., F, Penn State: Janecke was the leading point getter for the Nittany Lions this week, tallying three points (1g, 2a) in two games vs. No. 13/13 Northeastern. Janecke racked up 28 face-off wins in the series, and is up to 103 career points, which sits fourth all-time in Penn State program history ... Vanessa Upson, Sr. F, Mercyhurst: Upson logged three assists over the weekend, helping the Lakers earn a series split with No. 4/6 Colgate. Her assist in Saturday's win was on the game-winning goal.

AHA DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Thalia D'Elia, So., D, Robert Morris
Robert Morris' Thalia D'Elia scored the first goal of the 2024-25 season for the Colonials on Friday night. In the 3-1 opening night win, D'Elia recorded her first career three-point effort (1g, 2a), while also blocking a team-leading four shots. 

Honorable Mention: Kyla Bear, Sr., D, RIT: Bear tallied a career-high three assists to lead RIT to a 5-0 win over Assumption on Saturday. The senior defender fired three shots on goal and added a block. 

AHA GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Katie DeSa, Jr., G, Penn State
Penn State's Katie DeSa is off to a strong start this season after getting the starting nod in both of Penn State's games vs. No. 13/13 Northeastern. The junior netminder allowed just three goals in the series, and stopped 17-of-18 shots in Friday's contest en route to Penn State's first win of the season. For the series, DeSa turned aside 32-of-35 shot attempts for a save percentage of .914.

Honorable Mention: Sophia Bellina, Jr., G, RIT: Bellina stopped all 11 shots she faced in RIT's season opener vs. Assumption, recording her second career shutout ... Sarah Coe, Sr., G, RIT: In RIT's second win of the season on Saturday, Coe recorded an 11-save shutout vs. Assumption. Like Bellina, it was also her second career shutout.

AHA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ireland Stein, Fr., F, RIT
RIT freshman Ireland Stein scored two goals and won 12-of-17 face-offs in her first two collegiate games over the weekend. She scored her first collegiate goal on a power play in the third period of Friday's 3-0 win over Assumption. She then scored another power play goal in Saturday's 5-0 win.

Honorable Mention: Emma Goding, Fr., F, Robert Morris: Goding scored her first career goal in Saturday's contest vs. Union. She also led the Colonials in blocks over the weekend with five.

About Atlantic Hockey America
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) embarks on its first season in 2024-25 after the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 11 men’s teams (American International College, Bentley University, Canisius College, The College of Holy Cross, Mercyhurst University, Niagara University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, Sacred Heart University, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Military Academy), and six women’s teams (Lindenwood University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Robert Morris University, and Syracuse University). In 2025-26, Delaware University will join the women’s league. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.