By Kimberly Peterson
The weather has gotten cooler. The leaves are fading from green to orange and the Zamboni is smoothing over the ice in Matthews Arena. Yes, hockey season at Northeastern has arrived.
The Northeastern women’s hockey team fields a youthful squad, highlighted by 11 freshman. How these new players perform will have a great impact on the Huskies season. Despite the new acquisitions, they are picked 9th in the USCHO’s preseason poll. Senior Brooke White commented on the polls.
“Every year we have to prove ourselves but it doesn’t matter,” White said. “We always end up on top.”
“I definitely know that inexperience will headline our season. [But] I also know that we have a very talented group of kids,” said Coach Joy Woog.
The Huskies played their first exhibition game of the season last Saturday at Matthews. Fighting against the London (Canada) Jr. Stang, NU walked away with a 4-2 win. This could be a prelude of what is to come for the Huskies in the 2002-2003 season.
“We have a lot of new players who are just excited to play and excited to be here. This is a group that is just jumping in,” said senior Pamela Pachal.
Strengths
They have a tight-knit team that plays well together and have never been prone to injury. Most importantly, the coach is ecstatic about her players.
“They’re talented, they’re smart and they’re quick learners who love the game,” said Woog. “A lot of them have been put in different positions and they can play them.”
Weaknesses
Obviously this is a young team. A lot will depend on how the freshman step up to the college hockey level. The Huskies will have to work on staying out of the penalty box, a problem that plagued them for most of last season.
Forwards
NU lost one of it’s best forwards in Brooke Whitney. Whitney was the team leader and winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. The Huskies were one of the top scoring teams in the nation last year.
This year’s youthful edition will look to senior Brooke White for leadership. A former member of the women’s national team, White is one of the faster players in the Hockey East, one of the last people anyone wants to face on a breakaway. Second last year in scoring on the team with 18 goals and 52 points, White can create offense in any way at anytime.
“I want to contribute leadership both on and off the ice,” White said. “I want to lead by example.”
Fellow senior Michelle Lorion should also give the Husky offense a lift. Last year she played on a variety of lines in a variety of roles. But what will potentially determine the team’s offensive production will be the play of its six new forwards: Cyndy Kenyon (Wisconsin Wild), Linda Desruisseaux (Phillips Exeter Academy), Rebecca Paul (Mississauga Junior Chiefs), Stephanie Wood (North American Hockey Academy.), Chrissy Sands (Cal Selects), and Kathryn Sands (Cal Selects).
“We have kids who want to win, kids who know that this is a team sport,” said Woog.
Defensemen
One of the most pleasant surprises last year for the Huskies was the play of 5’6 transfer student Pamela Pachal. Her play earned her captain honors this season. Senior Kim Greene has a knack for scoring, especially on the power play. She finished third on the team last season with 41 points.
Gone is Erica Archambeau, one of last year’s top defensive standouts. In her place are four new freshman defenders: Lindsay Snider (Brampton Thunder), Rebecca Peters, (Assabet Valley), Rachel Bertram (Lady Ducks) and Theresa Ella (Brampton Thunder).
These new recruits give the Huskies an abundance of depth on the defensive side of the puck. This means fresh players and more productivity out of the unit.
“I’m really impressed with the freshman even just on their attitudes. They are going to do a lot for us this year,” said Pachal
Goaltending
Sophomore sensation Chanda Gunn returns as the team’s starting goalie. The third-year player posted impressive numbers with a 1.37 goals against average and a .950 save percentage. Backing up Gunn is sophomore Marisa Hourihan, who last season posted an astounding 0.80 GAA and a save percentage of .965 in limited play.
A fight for a spot between the pipes figures to bring out the best in each goaltender.
