EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — LIU women's ice hockey goaltender Annie Abramson could not be more thrilled to start in goal for the Sharks on Friday and Saturday against Minnesota State Mankato.
 
Abramson, a freshman from Boise, Idaho, will step in for starting goalie Tindra Holm, who is back home in Sweden this week playing in an international tournament.
 
"I'm so excited for Tindra," said Abramson, who considers Holm a role model. "She is one of the best teammates that I have ever had. Having the opportunity to be around her on a daily basis has been such an honor."
 
Holm should be back to the lineup after Christmas, when she joins LIU from Europe. Until then, Abramson will get the nod from head coach Kelly Nash — something for which the freshman could not be more grateful.
 
"Kelly is honestly an amazing coach. She believes in me and that's a really great feeling," Abramson said. "As a goalie you look for that validation. It's not easy being a freshman in college, but Kelly and assistant coach Nora Maclaine have made the transition easy."
 
Abramson earned the win in her first collegiate start, making 20 saves on Oct. 7 at Sacred Heart, en route to days later being selected NEWHA Rookie of the Week. She is 2-0 with a 4.13 GAA and .823 save percentage in three appearances this season.
 
"I'm definitely going to have a little kid moment," she said. "I have a little kid moment every game, I think. I'm just so happy to be here. I'm happy to be alive and to be on this team. It's definitely going to be surreal. I don't know how I am going to react. It's going to be awesome."
 
LIU has an unbeaten streak that stands at 10 games. Last Saturday's win 4-2 win over Franklin Pierce has vaulted the Sharks into first place in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance.

The Sharks host Minnesota State Mankato Friday at 7:45 p.m and Saturday at 2 p.m.