UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State will open the fall season ranked ninth in the preseason NFHCA Coaches Poll.

The Nittany Lions, who finished the 2011 campaign eighth after claiming the Big Ten tournament crown, leads five conference teams in the national top 20 listing. Penn State will face half the list’s top 10 and nine of the top 20 this season, beginning with Friday’s season opener against No. 3 Old Dominion.

Defending national champion Maryland starts the year No. 1.