Women's College Ice Hockey : Match reports
Match reports 2007-2008
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008
Subject: UMass Boston Women 1 - Saint Anselm 3
It was a lovely day for hockey, as ultra light snow started falling outside
the Clark Athletic Center. The University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons
were defeated by the Hawks of Saint Anselm College 1-3. Saturday afternoon
the Beacons needed their A game, but went with gimmicks instead. St.
Anselm's quickness was too good.
The Hawks came out fast and strong to start the match. SAC junior Kathleen
Twomey dug the right wing boards, captured the puck and went for net, where
classmate Kelsey Johnson burst in and swatted it home for a 0-1 lead. St.
Anselm continued their refined playmaking for most of the period, and only
some ace saves from third-year goaltender Jessica Sams and equally lovely
breakups from sophy blue liner Stephanie Medeiros kept UMB close. The Hawks
love to hunt in pairs. Johnson & Twomey were having a wonderful time
ripping the ice.
Mass Boston opened on a power play to begin the second. They scored when
forward Lauren Duran made a nice cross-net pass that first-year Hannah Davis
drove into the netting. St. Anselm came right back with their own PPG, when
fresher Alexa Hingston took a high slot shot to make it 1-2. That goal
developed from a face-off draw by Twomey. After that, play became up and
down, though more of the time was spent in the Beacon end. UMB had strong
checking from second-year Sandy Parlato and a lovely solo move and shot from
suave center Maria Nasta. Twomey was turning it on with her gorgeous spin
style. Meanwhile, jazzy junior Bianca DeSantis was back in fly time mode,
creating great fore-checking. Overall, a fun twenty minutes of hockey.
Repeating the standard of the first two periods, the final got under way
with a goal at the end of a Hawk power play. Hingston produced the classic
feed to sophomore Arianna Rigano at the backdoor and Rigano slammed it in to
establish a 1-3 edge. St. Anselm's team control game dominated the third.
Sams foiled a number of goal attempts with her quick reaction saves for the
Beacons. UMB tried to push it, however SAC were too quick.
Smart, fast, strong and determined is why the Hawks are so hot. Their team
speed is a treat to watch. Add in the marvelous play development and you
have excellent hockey. The defender of the match was senior Brittany
Kretzman. A daring blue liner with burning pace, she's on the puck and
changing the equation in a flash. Kretzman was on song. Sophy defender
Daniella Lyons' passing was yummy. Her skating was remarkable. In goal,
senior Andrea Berlin stoned UMass Boston, never giving them half a chance,
with her positioning parfait. The woman of the match was the hypothetical
line of Twomey centering DeSantis and Johnson. Oooooo - what a concept!
Twomey used her rich skill set to make so many little things happen for her
mates. She makes time for plays to unfold and is a super skater. A loop, a
whirl, a vertical climb and once again you know it's time for DeSantis! She
is so fast and has a clever stick - a pleasure to watch. This being a speed
line, the mercurial Johnson flipped on her warp drive with electrifying
results. Johnson, like her fellow Hawks, is positively pyrotechnic.
***
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008
Subject: MIT Women 1 - Norwich - 3
It was a sunny day, periodically filled with terrifying shadows, giving full
value to the Ground Hog's prognosis of six more months of winter, as the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers lost a close 1-3 match. MIT
were strong on the puck and played entertaining hockey today at Johnson
rink.
Saturday afternoon's game began with a hard-fought first period. The
Engineers gave up the opening score when their defense left a forward
uncovered in the far slot. Later, MIT had the puck looted, resulting in a
solo walk-in tally. At that point, the Cantabrigians picked up their play
and starting pushing into their foe's end of the ice. MIT junior Catherine
Harding took advantage of some slack passing from her opponents and cruised
into the high right circle before roofing her drive to make the score 1-2.
Nice shot!
While the Engineers looked a tad tired in the middle session, they continued
their solid performance. Much of the time, the MIT forward's back-checking
was not very good. It put pressure on their defenders, who nevertheless
handled it. At the end of killing off a power play, the Engineers let in
another goal, during a scrum in front of net to make it 1-3.
There was no scoring in the finale. MIT continued to control large sections
of the contest. Their attack was not nearly as substantial as in the first
two periods. The Engineer blue liners were impressive.
MIT played exceptionally well on special teams. Their penalty kill was
particularly proficient at keeping things tidy. The power play was
intelligent, not overreacting to situations, but simply using who was open.
Fresher goalie Rachel Bowens-Rubin was good. She worked well with her
defense and showed a quick mitten. Winger Harding was sharp to the puck.
Her skating was great. The woman of the match was junior Stephanie Brenman.
Her aggressive defensive style was superb. It shut down many problems and
transitioned onto attack with ease. Brenman is on her game.
***
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008
Subject: UMass Boston Women 2 - Salve Regina 4
Saturday at noon, the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons lost to the
Salve Regina Seahawks. The 2-4 triumph, at Centre Clark, was a solid
performance by Salve. Their skillful teamwork proved to be the difference.
The first period was sluggish. While both sides tried to create plays,
neither was skating well enough. UMB opened the scoring when Lauren Duran
went on a solo right wing rush, cut in toward goal and drilled her try high
into the netting. After that, there was posturing, some good passing from
SR, but little else. Fresher Seahawk Molly Golden eventually latched onto a
longball break, flew in on net and converted with a lovely deke and tuck.
Immediately following that, Salve took the lead at 1-2, when first-year
Teresa Santore was left unmarked at the back post, and banked home the feed
parfait from classmates Kendra Andrie and Katie Cox. Lovely goal!
The Seahawks came out determined at the start of the middle stage. Senior
blue liner Aimee Provencher took the puck to a Beacon corner and centered
into the crease, where second-year Ally Carr tapped it in for a 1-3 SR
margin. At that point, UMass Boston awoke. The pace picked up. Salve
Regina looked more organized, however individual Beacons pushed it, when
they were not in the box. The stellar moment came when UMB senior Lauren
O'Connor laid on a delicious feed, that SR junior Tamsin Gosselin foiled
with a lovely save!
For much of the third, UMass looked confused. None of their gunners were
online. Salve played smart - going for the 4th goal and keeping it tight at
the back. With five minutes left, first-year Beacon Rachel Sousa found
sophy Maria Nasta at the far post, as the pair streaked in. Nasta roofed
the pass, to make it 2-3. UMB pressed it, but the Seahawks' containment
held. With a dozen seconds left, Caitlin Campbell collected an empty-net
goal to make the final 2-4 Salve Regina.
The Seahawks are a good, developing team. They play a relatively simple
system. Salve can move the puck effectively. Their skating is not up to
scratch. It prevents interesting possibilities from happening.
Nevertheless, SR played an intelligent contest today and fully deserved the
league points. Sophomore Krissy Roche is a quick blue liner who reads the
play nicely. Up front, fresher Kristen Cokely skated well and was an
attractive addition to the mix. First-years Gabrielle Gardner and Golden
have the start of a wonderful partnership on the ice. Gardner is always
looking and moving to the hot spots. Golden has impressive speed & is a
menace to the opposition. The Salve Regina woman of the match was Gosselin.
A very fast tender, she is very aware of her surroundings. Like most good
goalies, her pipes are her close friends. Gosselin played an exceptional
game.
UMass Boston has good team speed, when they use it. They do not move well
off the puck. If the Beacons played smarter hockey they might start to
fulfill their potential. As it stands, they are easy to divert. Forward
O'Connor had a lovely outing. She skated hard and made a number of fine
passes. First-year Jazz Webber is evolving into a strong defender. Her
backup cover was timely and very helpful. Webber's movement was robust and
well judged. Nasta and comrade Sousa looked good. Sousa made some
excellent dishes. Nasta had her head up today and tried to pick out mates.
She is the most consistent player at both ends of the ice - digging back to
accentuate the marking, and is a gifted sniper. Nasta was marvelous and the
UMB woman of the match.
***
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008
Subject: UMass Boston Women 4 - New England College 2
The University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons gained victory, 4-2, over the
New England College Pilgrims, at the Clark, on Saturday afternoon. It was a
significant league win for the Beacons that happened because of their
superior skating.
It was mostly a UMB opening period. They took the play to NEC, who were
almost lackadaisical. UMass Boston scored first, on a power play, when
first-year Rachel Sousa hit home a rebound, when she was left all alone in
front of net. The Pilgrims tied the match at one each, when blue liner
Brianna Gerrior freely floated across the Beacon's net and went 5-hole.
Fresher Hannah Davis restored the UMB lead when she ripped her try high,
during a 5 on 3 power play, from the right circle. Davis and sophy Katelyn
Pohlman were clearly the best defensive pairing for UMass. They use their
movement to cleverly regain the puck and are strong when they create
breakouts. That was welcome considering the terror inspired by NEC senior
Elizabeth Ross on the fore-check.
New England pushed Mass Boston back at the start of the second with a
higher energy game. They were aided by the Beaconettas, who took their
regular ration of penalties. Perfidi! The Pilgrims knotted the contest at
two, when third-year Sarah Graham drove the biscuit into the netting, on a
power play. That was made possible by a Beacon blue liner overdoing it and
giving NEC a clear path to goal. After that UMB gradually started coming
back. If scoring threat Maria Nasta could add passing to her shooting and
back-checking skills, UMass would be in better shape.
The Beacons looked hungry as the finale commenced. About five minutes in,
sophomore Nasta bagged a second chance to make it 3-2 UMB. There had been a
fair amount of pressure leading up to that tally on the New England net.
Periodically, NEC also went close - mostly individual stuff. After one of
those spells, Lauren Duran threw one in from the popcorn stand for a 4-2
UMass Boston advantage - killer goal. UMB closed it out with determined
movement.
New England College were always chasing the match. Their skating needs a
major upgrade. The Pilgrims did not help their own cause by repeated trips
to the box. Ross was a wonderful player for NEC. She needs a longer stick,
however, the diminutive forward can motor. When on the hunt, Ross is
impressively adept.
***
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008
Subject: MIT Women 1 - St. Anselm 7
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers were defeated Friday
evening 1-7 by the Hawks of Saint Anselm College. It was a wonderful match.
The teams played hard. In the end, the Hawks' talent pool decided the
matter.
MIT played well in the first. Their board marking broke up moves and they
were often ok in front of their own keeper. Junior Engineer Stephanie
Brenman used her smarts to steal the puck several times. St. Anselm scored
on two side of the net plays by second-year Kerri Aylward and third-year
Kathleen Twomey. However, the best goal was when fresher Chelsea Fillingim
laid on the feed parfait to wide-open Arianna Rigano, who drilled it for a
0-3 advantage.
Periodically the Hawks pressed their skate and pass game in period two.
When they did, it was awesome. MIT scored a power play goal when Brenman
and senior Rachel Longley worked a slick give and go up the gut. Brenman
ended up with the biscuit and hammered it home. Lovely goal! Wait a tick -
and a goal of the year candidate. The Hawks followed up with two rather
scruffy tallies to make it 1-5.
The third was interesting. It had a relentless edge to it. Both sides
produced lots of skating and digging for pucks. St. Anselm claimed two
additional scores from Twomey and sophy Kasey Cedorchuk, to make the final
1-7. The Engineers went close, but failed to find the twine.
The Hawks are great skaters and passers. Tonight, their movement off the
puck was about a three count off. That prevented plays from proper
development. Still, when St. Anselm was cranking it in the second & third,
it was hockey at its higher levels. Their team speed looked good. Junior
Kelsey Johnson personally made sure of that fact, as she tore all over the
Johnson Rink surface. Her quickness and turns were amazing stuff. On the
blue line, classmate Maggie Dwyer launched many lovely longball passes.
Normally, that would have claimed deadly dividends. Dwyer is a cunning
player. The woman of the match was speedster Bianca DeSantis. It's fly
time when the third-year is on the ice. For a spell in the third, DeSantis
and Johnson were paired - that gave the zebra of the lines fits, as those
two twisted onsides at full pace. DeSantis put on quite the show, reminding
everyone how ferociously the Hawks can swoop.
MIT turned in a cool performance. It was a difficult matchup, however, the
Engineers went for it and played with passion & poise. Senior Christina
Ottomeyer had a strong outing on defense. Her back-checking was top shelf.
Fellow blue liner Monique Squiers made a series of critical breakups. There
are times, when the first-year needs to clean up her act and live up to her
potential. Even so, Squiers kept things tidy at the back. The defender of
the match was Brenman. Her tight marking and intelligent reads led to
busted opponent attacks and good breakout passes. Brenman anchored her team
and had a super contest.
***
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008
Subject: UMass Boston Women 0 - Trinity 1
Late Sunday afternoon, the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons lost
the Codfish Bowl Championship title to the Trinity College Bantams. What
should have been a great matchup at the Clark, of two fine teams, was
instead an excessively tedious 0-1 contest.
It was a tight opening period. Both sides were in prevent. The tension
made for slow skating and subpar passing. Players were mostly into solo
moves, even if they had a wide-open teammate. The thrill of the first was a
lovely ooo-la-la cut and break by Trinity first-year Kim Weiss, followed by
a remarkable save from UMB junior goalie Jessica Sams. Wow!
The suspense continued in the second. The Beacons took their usual foolish
penalties. The Bantams earned the lead when junior Kelley McCarthy knocked
home the third rebound, while the Mass Boston defense was at sixes and
sevens. Near the end of the segment, Trinity started to move the puck
better.
There was no scoring in the final frame. The Bantams were being less
selfish and therefore had more chances, however, UMB's Sams easily made the
key saves. Beaconetta Katelyn Pohlman made a series of insightful breakout
passes, while under heavy weather.
Trinity did not play well today. Their movement, for the most part, wasn't
there, resulting in a disjointed effort. Perhaps the pressure of the
tourney final was too much? Sophy tender of the twine Isabel Iwachiw looked
sharp in net, never giving away a half chance. Senior defender Alexandra
Schmidt dug well in her own end and produced one of the top setup passes of
the afternoon, from her point position. Always with a nose for the net,
Weiss narrowly missed several attempts. Her moves were lovely. McCarthy,
besides notching the championship winning goal did some stunning
back-checking today. She is decidedly Codfish MVP quality.
***
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008
Subject: Trinity Women 5 - Oswego 1
Saturday at noon, at UMass Boston's Clark Athletic Center, the Trinity
College Bantams cruised past the Oswego Lakers 5-1, during the opening match
of the Codfish Bowl. The T's puck movement was the decisive factor.
Trinity got the tournament off to a roaring start by converting two quick
strikes. Fabulous fresher Kim Weiss nailed a rebound into the net at the
far post to take an early lead. Following that up, jazzy junior Michelle
Chee's point shot was deflected in, through a maze of players. The Bantams'
superior passing and skating looked like it would dominate the contest.
However, Oswego cut the lead in half, when third-year Jessica Lister banged
in a rebound from close range, during a power play. At that point, things
settled down a tad. The Lakers' strong blue liners started giving the T's
less room, though with the likes of Weiss darting around, only time would
tell.
In the second, Trinity shifted into control mode. They again scored early
when sophomore Britney McKenna buried a nice slot setup pass from first-year
Emily Weedon, to make it 3-1 Bantams. While Oswego took a number of
penalties, in fact, the entire period seemed like one long Trinity power
play. Their puck movement was giving the Lakers fits.
The pattern continued in the finale. While the T's did not have their pace,
their passing thwarted Oswego. Early on, Chee was left alone in the slot
during a power play and drilled her chance high to make it 4-1 Trinity.
Later, while the teams were playing 4 on 4, senior Emmy Handy stuffed a
loose puck, right in front, to finish the scoring.
Oswego appeared to have been overly influenced by their fellow New Yorkers
Friday night at Bright - too much reacting and not enough initiative. The
Lakers' skating is ok, but needs a lot more zip to it. Tiffany Duquette,
Lister and Natalie Rossi all had spells of nice movement. In goal, Hilary
Hitchman was solid, with a good glove and her angles down. She was aided by
a tough group of defenders - the highlight reel being first-year Rossi.
From her strong safety position, Rossi kept things from getting out of hand
with her timely marking.
Trinity, like another NESCAC school, likes to use inversions. The result is
you are never quite sure where various players will turn up. It makes for a
fun game, as team interaction makes the puck move. The Bantams are smart
skaters. They should increase their team speed. In goal, sophy Isabel
Iwachiw made some critical saves in the first. She showed a lot of
flexibility. Senior Erin Fitzgerald provided great cover on the blue line.
She is the go-to player - always their for her mates. Third-year Kelley
McCarthy was a frisky two-way player turning up in assorted spots and making
the play. Another interesting forward was senior Megan Fallon. She is
quick, mobile and tenacious. The inversion layer of the match was Chee.
Tight turns and amazing rapidity, she was all over the ice. Whether
attacking or defending, Chee is a treat. The woman of the match was Weiss.
Her opening period skating was lovely! Weiss is a goalscorer who hangs in
the tough slots to finish. Her performance was wonderful. Overall, the T's
are looking good.
***
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007
Subject: Northeastern Women 0 - New Hampshire 4
Sunday at Matthews, the Northeastern Huskies were impaled by the University
of New Hampshire Wildcats. 0-4 accurately describes the play of each side.
UNH pretty much walked to victory.
New Hampshire came out and took an early lead, from a face-off, on a rather
sloppy play, credited to fresher Jenn Wakefield. The reason for that goal
was UNH were playing their game, while the Huskies were into watch, wait &
worry. Naturally, the Wildcats dominated, making various plays with
relative ease. New Hampshire closed out the first with 2 nearly identical
low point shot scores. Junior Maggie Joyce and first-year Julia Marty
provided the firepower from the blue line that connected thru vast
quantities of open ice.
The second was largely an advanced training session where UNH's more
proficient passers laid on lovely feeds for their teammates. The object,
one would hope, was a lesson on how to read, move into, or create open
space, during a match. For the most part, it was a dismal failure. That
also did not help a segment badly in need of skating. Ironically, watching
all the missed chances was rather diverting!
The less said about the third period, the better. Appealing fresher
Courtney Birchard bounced a quick slot shot off the N's goaltender to
conclude the scoring at 0-4. After that - a few rushes, a lovely save from
first-year Husky Leah Sulyma, a few penalties, 1 nice longball pass by
Wildcat Joyce, and the contest was history.
New Hampshire won the game easily. They could have used it to develop team
skills. To some extent they did attempt improvements, however, it lacked
energy and commitment, and therefore will be of practically no value later
in the season. The top UNH defensive pair was Joyce and fresher Raylen
Dziengelewski. They work well as a unit, sorting out matters and making
snap decisions. The pair could mark tighter, but they have a tenacious
attitude & make lovely, quick breakout passes. Up front, Birchard is
interesting. She has a soft stick, slick deceptive skating and a fast
release. Birchard does not move well off her mates yet, even so, she could
become a very potent force. The best player on the ice, and the UNH woman
of the match was sublime junior Sam Faber. She twists and turns and lays on
soft served dishes parfait! The key is Faber holds onto the puck - that
provides time and space for things to develop in many directions.
***
Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2007
Subject: UMass Boston Women 3 - Connecticut College 2
It was misty at Centre Clark, as the University of Massachusetts Boston
Beacons defeated the Connecticut College Camels 3-2. Both sides showed lots
of effort. In the end, UMB was able to find the key goals and hold on.
The teams began tentatively Tuesday evening. UMB had the better of it in
the first ten minutes and scored a power play goal, when second-year Maria
Nasta slid one home during a scrum in front of net. After that, CC found
their skating legs, and with their push & go game made things difficult for
Beacon goalie Jessica Sams, who nevertheless reacted well. The treat of the
first was watching sophy Camel Stephanie Quinn skate. The winger is a
razor!
Connecticut College came out and took control in the second period, and
scored off a nice rush when junior Caroline Jeffery connected with a drag &
draw. Lovely goal! However, after that, Mass Boston surged forward, as the
Camels were undeniably off the boil. Nasta answered CC's score, when she
went up the gut and drove the puck stick side, for a 2-1 UMass lead. Nasta
continued her heroics, notching her third goal, when she dinged one in off
the crossbar. Conn College was guilty of running around in their own end.
For the finale, the stage was set, however, the play was badly cast. CC cut
UMB's lead to 3-2 about midway, when first-year Celia Medeiros took a lovely
soft pass from sophomore Rachel Lindmark, and finished off the break-in play
parfait. After that goal, the Camels poured it on, but the Beacons' Sams
hung tough. In the closing minutes, there were bodies flying everywhere,
though not exactly a good deal of skill from either squad, as UMB held on
and gained victory.
Connecticut College's #1 asset is there skating. They need to move together
better. Their passing also needs practice. Some of it is not finding the
open space, but there are many problematic skills involved. The Camel
defense featured senior Elinor Mason - a smart blue liner who fixed many
errors. Second-year Sarah Napoli gunned her skating, positively exploding
to the danger spots. Up front, Quinn & Lindmark were easily the quickest
skaters on the ice. They both love to motor and have the talent to make
tremendously tight turns.
***
Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007
Subject: Harvard Women 3 - Princeton 2
Late Saturday afternoon was cool, windy and rainy, as the Princeton Tigers
gave the contest away, again. The 3-2 final if anything was charity from
the divine Nemesis.
The smartly suited Tigers came out playing safety first, stop hockey, in the
opening period. It was not what one would hope for. Princeton could have
been behind by a couple of scores, however, they were fortunate enough to be
up 0-1, due to a power play goal from junior Annie Greenwood. She pulled
out front with the puck, into the low circle and drilled her try high stick
side.
The middle frame was loosely played. The Tigers let in one 5 on 3 PPG. You
couldn't think of blaming junior defender Katherine Dineen, who was superb
on the penalty kill, with tight marking and slick movement. Eventually,
Princeton regained their tenuous lead, 1-2, when senior attacker Liz Keady
netted a power play goal. It came off a face-off deep in the attacking zone
and was of a scruffy nature.
The Tigers sat on their lead in the third. Naturally, they proceeded to
give up two more 5 on 3 power play goals, to go behind 3-2. Love the
strategy! The remainder of the match fizzled away into a long bus ride.
Will they play, or won't they play - that was the question. The answer at
Bright Hockey Center was a decided - no thank you. With the amount of
talent Princeton has, they could have done a whole lot more. They rarely
went for it. The trio of terrific Tigers remains: Dineen, Keady & Novak.
Senior center Sonja Novak has this wonderful, wide positioned stride that
allows her to create dynamic moves. Keady clicked on warp drive late in the
first and continued on the edge of breaking one, most of the afternoon. The
woman of the match - "Come inside the show's about to start" - was Dineen.
Perceptive, soft hands that let her lay on clever outlet passes for her
mates, slick defensive coverage - she is excellent. Add in Dineen's
quickness factor and it's - "guaranteed to blow your head apart."
Match reports 2006-2007
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007
Subject: MIT Women 2 - RIT 3 OT
Gridded Johnson Rink was the stage, as the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology Engineers were barely edged by the Rochester Institute of
Technology Tigers 2-3 in overtime. According to the statistics, the result
is ostentatiously improbable. However, judging on technical merit - reverse
the score.
Friday evening's game found MIT extremely well matched against the highly
ranked Tigers. It was into the second half of the first, before TIM allowed
a tally. RIT was a mix of ill-conceived passing and obstructionist
tendencies, both new trends for the team.
And then, it got better. MIT won the second period. With six minutes left,
the Timsters produced a scrum in front of the Tiger tender and sophy
Stephanie Brenman provided the final poke to make it 1-1. Sluggish RIT
could do nothing to change the situation.
In the finale, the Tigers quickly went up 1-2. Yet, after that, the contest
remained even. Four minutes were left in the game, when MIT had a series of
power plays and drew the match even at two, when senior Amanda Hunter picked
a pocket and slipped the puck in. In overtime, both sides were given power
plays to win it. TIM went close, but couldn't find the netting. In the
last few seconds, the cunning junior, from belle Quebec, pulled off an up
and over to give the Tigers the win. Lovely goal!
It would appear the long bus trip from New York state was too much for RIT.
Perhaps staying in the west suits almost everyone.
MIT manufactured a memorable ending to the season. The team speed and
alertness of the players were super. The Engineers did not give away
chances and kept the pressure squarely on their adversary. Up front, Mary
Harding and Hunter led the way with able surges and endless zeal. They were
supported by Barbara McCarragher and Cristina Stefanescu, who filled lanes
and hung tough. The MIT defenders of the match were Catherine Harding and
Brenman, plus, Christina Ottomeyer and Sara John. Together, they controlled
vast quantities of the contest with their relentless skating. It was a
great day for MIT hockey.
***
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007
Subject: Northeastern Women 0 - Connecticut 2
The Northeastern Huskies lost to the Connecticut Huskies Sunday afternoon at
Matthews. UConn would net two goals in the second and that was enough. The
N's played a fair amount in the Connecticut end, but it always seemed the
blue Huskies were destined to win.
While UConn obviously had better team speed, NU spent much of the first in
the Connecticut zone. Northeastern did not produce many good chances, even
so, they did confirm that super cool sophy goaltender Brittany Wilson is a
force to be reckoned with. The highlight of the opener was UConn first-year
Amy Hollstein's amazing quickness - oh bella! Still, with team play
somewhat disjointed for both sides, 0-0 seemed about right.
At the start of two, UC turned it on. First, stunning senior Natalie Vibert
went on a solo rush up the left wing, cut in on net and left her try to
slide in at the near post. Lovely goal! Next, second-year Kristen Russell
threw one in from the popcorn stand, during a line change. It was 0-2 and
the black Huskies looked done, like dinner. All the same, the N's came back
with some pressure. However, with Wilson having the angles fully down, it
was going to be difficult, provided they even made it past the expert UConn
blue liners.
The final period was a drag. Connecticut were content to sit on their lead.
Northeastern again had plenty of territorial edge, yet remained clueless on
how to string passes together, let alone create lethal plays.
UConn have a highly skilled defensive team. They do so many little things
well. Scoring, in general, is not one of those items. Hollstein is fun to
watch. Her cuts and movement are a treat. On the blue line, junior
Elizabeth Gallinaro is strong and reads situations extremely well. Fresher
Cristin Allen's intercepts were crucial. She is an intelligent defender who
keeps things tidy at the back. In goal, Wilson is wonderful. Her
positioning and timing are outstanding. Wilson seems to have insight into
what the other side is about and shuts down many chances easily. The woman
of the match was Vibert. Great skating, elegant style and thoughtful
defense sums her up. Connecticut's tradition of excellence in their own end
continues, and with Vibert it plays out as something very special.
***
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007
Subject: MIT Women 7 - Plymouth 0
On a bitterly cold Friday evening, it was Matrix Theory III at Johnson Rink,
as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers demolished the
Plymouth State Panthers. TIM was too fast for the Panthers and secured a
7-0 victory. PSU looked good at times, but couldn't stop the Engineers.
Even though they started as the timid Timmers, MIT forged a 3-0 lead in
period one. Their skating and teamwork was well below form. Considering
the designs of Plymouth's Alyssa Hovanec and Amanda Kreamer, TIM was
fortunate. Nevertheless, the Engineers collected scores from Mary Harding,
Rachel Longley and Stephanie Brenman. The first two were long rushes tucked
under the Panther goalie. The last a rebound tapped home.
The Timmers came out skating in the middle frame and took the pressure to
PSU. There was too much solo activity and very little passing. Still it
kept the Panthers busy, as they could produce few counterattacking schemes.
Sophy Brenman made it 4-0 MIT, with a blast from the blue line. Sara John
increased the goal total when her shot eluded the Plymouth keeper. Cristina
Stefanescu concluded the tallies, when her circle try deflected in off a
Panther defender.
In the third, both teams looked tired. TIM played "what's my line?" and PSU
showed some vexation. M.Harding snatched her second goal of the night with
a wraparound to complete the scoreline at 7-0.
Plymouth State need to work on their skating. They do not move well as a
team. Fresher attacker Hovanec is very speedy. When she's pouring it on,
she is difficult to stay with. Second-year blue liner Kreamer is PSU's main
event. Her marking is thorough and she moves the puck extremely well.
MIT could have used this match better. They had the team speed advantage,
so it would have been great to develop their passing. Instead, they stayed
with the selfish method. 1 out of 10 times, the player off the puck saw a
feed. Not good. The defensive pairings of Raffaela Wakeman and Catherine
Harding, along with Christina Ottomeyer and Brenman looked good. They moved
well, though not always in a coordinated manner. First-year forward Kelcie
Abraham did lay on some nice dishes. Sophomore Juliana Rotter also kept her
head up. The woman of the match was effervescent senior Amanda Hunter. It
was one of those nights when her jets were on high throttle, and the result
made for dangerous conditions. Like her mates, she should look more for the
best play, however, Hunter's off the puck movement was excellent.
***
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007
Subject: UMass Boston Women 0 - Middlebury 5
At the Clark, on a chilly Wednesday evening, the University of Massachusetts
Boston Beacons were out executed by the Panthers of Middlebury 0-5.
Middlebury turned on the style and dominated the match. UMB were left in
their wake.
After an initial surge from the Bobinhoes, Midd took charge of the game.
The Panthers smooth skating and delicious patterns were lovely to watch.
Middlebury opened the scoring when senior Shannon Sylvester finished off a
series of looping leads provided by Shannon Tarrant and Abby Kurtz-Phelan.
It was hockey at an artistic level and Midd was starting to hum.
It's the second period, must be time for the vertical game. Rotating thru a
number of phase shifts, MC turned the volume down a tad, however, laid on
the sweetest passes. Sophy Erika Nakamura got the final touch, after she,
Randi Dumont and Lacey Farrell had generated waves of strikes on the Mass
Boston net. The pounding pressure was veiled in a silky package, still,
second-year Annmarie Cellino made it 0-3, with assists to Kurtz-Phelan and
Tarrant, to demonstrate how deadly it really was.
The finale was relaxed. Middlebury was in dance mode, as they slipped
around, thru and by the Beacons. UMB was guilty of watching, but who could
blame them. Cellino burst up the gut to add another goal for Les Bleus.
Fresher Ashley Bairos knocked in a rebound of Molly Vitt's shot to conclude
the scoring at 0-5 Midd. The contest was a master class on how hockey can
be played.
Middlebury's skating is all adverbs. They move brilliantly as a team. MC
loves to double dip, which they run across various axes. What's so stunning
is how well they work together to solve situations on the ice. Tarrant is a
skillful defender with lovely touch. Her ability to read the game and make
excellent dishes is terrific. Senior Emily McNamara cuts here and there and
makes tough problems look simple. First-year Marjie Billings is gutsy. She
steps up to fill any problematic area and makes the play. Junior Margaret
MacDonald is a wonderful skater. She needs to rope it in at times, but is a
real spark for her side. Kurtz-Phelan is so strong, and yet with the
cunning to make these devious little attacks. Nakamura is resilient.
She'll try anything and produce the most interesting results. Like most
fine vintages, Sylvester is a pleasure to sip. Her commanding range of
superb talents is a delight. Need a goal, look for Sylvester. And then,
there's Cellino. Quick, tenacious, a lovely array of tricks and deceptions
- need another goal? The woman of the match was fresher Heather McCormack.
So fast, daring and the edge parfait for her mates. McCormack skated a
super match. Overall, these guys are good.
UMass Boston were up against it. A counterattacking team has problems when
an opponent uses that for its own diabolical gains. In goal, sophomore
Jessica Sams was hung out to dry by her teammates. She made a number of
huge saves, displaying attractive reflexes. First-year Jennifer Senecal was
sharp. Her bold blue line tactics and lovely skating were marvelous.
Senecal is developing into a quality defender.
***
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007
Subject: MIT Women 1 - Amherst 7
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers were thrashed by the
Amherst Jeffs, Monday evening behind the grille at Johnson. The team
formerly know as the Techers, could not get it together against their hard
skating rival. The Jeffs, using a combination of nice passing and resolute
attacks, were 1-7 victors.
The Lord Jeffs came out and established command in the first. They ran a
perimeter passing drill that hemmed MIT tightly in their own zone. TIM had
problems finding breakout lanes, however, they did look strong on defense.
Amherst scored 3 goals: sophy Anna MacLean went high from the far circle;
first-year Molly Malloy banked in a deflection at the far post and senior
Alena Harrison took a lovely point feed from fresher Alyssa Chwick and sent
the puck along the ice. A tidy presentation.
At the start of the second, the Timmers went for it, and created some
pressure of their own. The Jeffs answer: pick up the pace. With the
increased speed, Amherst looked sharper. They still skated into coverage,
but it became interesting for MIT to respond in time. The Jeffs connected
on 3 more scores: senior defender Rachel Simon's zigzag course in from her
point, was easily the most entertaining; while first-year Michelle McGann
and junior Elizabeth Ditmore tucked in a pair at the back post.
The teams played relatively even as the final period commenced. Neither
produced great setups, still, both looked good. Soon enough, Amherst found
their stride and started to press. Nevertheless, past midway, MIT scored a
power play goal to make it 1-6, when sophomore Sara John got the final tap
at the near post. The Jeffs completed the scoring when Malloy took a point
feed from classmate Kirsten Dier and knocked the puck in at the backdoor.
Amherst run a very exacting attack. They transition well from their own
end. Their spatial designs prevent them from making the kinds of plays
their passing suggests they are capable of. However, the Jeffs skate well
as a team. Up front, McGann's dishes and desire are marvelous. Her vision
opens things up for her mates. Junior Megan Quinn is efficient. Her
touches and movement are top shelf. Seniors Tes Siarnacki and Simon were
the Amherst defenders of the match. Siarnacki is fearless. She is a terror
on the ice with her darting style. Simon plays with moxie. Her skating and
ability to make plays happen are lovely.
MIT hung back too much. They are playing with more poise, but could not
find their form against a talented foe. In goal, first-year Maria Prus was
sharp. She is one of the few current tenders who uses a standup style and
still gets down to cover low shots effectively. At times, Cristina
Stefanescu showcased some splendid speed. The MIT defenders of the match
were junior Raffaela Wakeman and second-year Catherine Harding. Wakeman
made a number of dexterous breakups that saved the day. Harding's marking
and tough dig backs stopped multiple incoming strikes.
***
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006
Subject: UMass Boston Women 0 - Manhattanville 5
Saturday at noon, the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons hosted the
Manhattanville Valiants. It was Val deja vu, as the 0-5 score and style of
contest were eerily like last year's meeting. Today at the Clark, UMB put
up surprisingly scant resistance.
Mville came out rapidly and established control of the game with their
superior team speed and relatively astute passing. Manhattanville scored
their first, when Jessica Zimmerman connected on the short side, after going
in on a two on one break. It was one of those lightning strikes that is a
trademark of the Vals. The Bobinhoes were wise to have sophy Jessica Sams
in goal and all-action fresher Katelyn Pohlman on the blue line, or, things
could have gotten out of hand early. Mville made it 0-2 when sophomore
Michelle Witz's shot was deflected in by a UMass Boston defender.
Both sides drifted off into nap mode for the second, and they weren't even
sitting under the cozy French fry warmers. Little happened. Manhattanville
collected two more goals from Alex Blackwell and Witz at the end of the
period, when the UMB goaltender proved strangely vulnerable to shots along
the ice.
The third had a few flourishes, however was mostly lethargic. There were a
few ugly moments, from both teams. Just past halfway, first-year Val
Monique Rafferty tucked the puck home, at the backdoor, to make it 0-5.
Linemates Blackwell and junior Amanda Nonis laid on the lovely setups.
Manhattanville is a puzzle. Clearly, they can play when they choose to.
Still, these half-baked performances do not inspire confidence. Junior Cory
Alcorn is a talent. Her passing is excellent. Blackwell has guts. She
makes it easier for her mates with her strong presence. Rafferty bears
watching. She made some interesting twists and turns and has a rifle shot.
In goal, sophy Karine Turmel is wonderful. Quick reactions are her forte.
Third-year Dani Poupart makes her side go, from the blue line. Puck
movement is what the Vals are all about, and Poupart with her stunning
longballs, facilitates a different level of attack.
***
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006
Subject: UMass Boston Women 3 - Colby 3 OT
With the Clark slightly shrouded in mist, the University of Massachusetts
Boston Beacons and the Colby Mules played to a three all draw. It was a
proper result considering that both teams did well, in a largely
entertaining Wednesday night contest.
Colby came out strong in the first and pressed UMB back. Their passing was
interesting. The Bobinhoes soon cranked up their counterattacks, and the
game was on. UMass scored when second-year Maria Guanci jammed one in off a
scrum in the crease. The Mules struck back when sophy Amanda Comeau tipped
the puck home after a nice series of passes between classmates Laura Anning
and Rebecca Julian. Play became even, until the end of the period, when
Colby sophy Laura Clemson's brilliant diagonal pass found sensational
sophomore Colette Finley cruising in front and Finley flipped it into
roofland. Ooo-la-la! Early nominee for goal of the year.
The second had an inauspiciously slow start, and then, senior Beacon Andrea
Ciarletta was setup in the slot by Sarah Cronin, and Ciarletta blasted it
high, to tie the score at two. Colby looked down and UMass Boston
capitalized during a power play when fresher Jennifer Senecal's point shot
found nothing but net, and a 3-2 lead. It looked like the Bobinhoes could
have put this one away, until first-year White Mule Kaitlyn Conway went on a
lovely solo rush and slipped the puck low into the goal, to knot the match.
There was no more scoring in the final frame, or the overtime. Both teams
were a tad on the morose side, as they had clearly shot their wad. UMB was
fortunate in their choice of penalty kill defensive pairing Deguire and
Wigmore, otherwise, Colby probably would have found victory.
Colby have a direct style of play. Somewhat oblique at times, however, they
have a deadly look and use the puck exceptionally well. A little more team
speed and better blue line movement, and the Mules could go places. Fresher
Dana Yerigan floats over the ice during her defensive duties. She has nice
range. Anning loves to gun it. She is a power forward with a nose for the
biscuit. Comeau has this tendency to turn up at the oddest times to create
menacing chances. The line of Finley, Clemson and classmate Nicole Crocker
is special. They work the puck so well and can motor. Clemson lays on
sweet feeds and adores digging. The Colby woman of the match was Finley.
Her skating is lovely. She presents a great target for her mates to dish
off to, and is good at hitting others with inspired touches. Finley is a
razor.
The trivializing of sport with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was
unfortunately in fashion at UMass Boston.
***
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006
Subject: MIT Women 4 - Castleton 2
Friday night, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers overcame
the Castleton State College Spartans. The 4-2 victory suited MIT's
dominance of play. CSC came close to turning the tables on the Engineers,
but tonight lost the vigorous battle.
Even with TIM kicking up a wake on the ice, the zealous new Johnson Rink
safety net means that MIT and their guests will need to learn how to be
charming thru the grille.
The TIM's came out strong and pressed Castleton back. In fact, much of the
first and second were played in the Spartan ends. Nevertheless, for all the
Engineers' possession, their shot selection, let alone their passing, was
not the best. The Spartans few chances looked more potent, and CSC gained
the lead when first-years Maryanne Diehm and Colleen Senecal pulled off a
nice 2 on 1 break, that Diehm finished high. MIT pressed forward and during
a 5 on 3 power play, senior Amanda Hunter drilled her try top corner, from
the circle, to tie it at one.
The second stanza continued the one-way traffic trend for TIM. They started
to string together a few plays and looked better, but still, Castleton's few
break were more telling. MIT established a 2-1 advantage when superior
sophy Stephanie Brenman hammered the puck into the back of the net, during a
power play. The Engineered pressure was paying off.
MIT went prevent in the concluding period, so naturally CSC tied it up, when
sneaky second-year Katelyn Greene banged one home. The Spartans were in the
game and TIM looked disturbed. And then, during yet another power play,
MIT's senior Mary Harding managed to trickle the puck thru the goalie, to
regain a 3-2 superiority. Castleton tried to push it, however, junior
Cristina Stefanescu stole the puck, deep in the Spartan end, and sliced the
puck into the empty net, to give the Engineers the two goal win.
Castleton did well to keep their adversary in check for most of the match.
They need to work on their skating. As a team, they work their loose box
skillfully and allowed MIT little inside room. The blue liners were led by
stalwart fresher Brianna Behmke. Her no nonsense approach was a tower of
strength for her mates. Up front, Greene was a pest. The quickest Spartan,
her fore-checking was strong and created turnovers.
MIT played tough. They moved well and with an urgency that got them over
the dodgy parts. Their passing and movement off the puck was dismal -
shades of Huntington Ave? They need to engineer more creative chances.
Part of it is confidence, but considering how well they are playing, it is
time to step up and do it. The second unit of Raffaela Wakeman, Christina
Ottomeyer, Stefanescu, Barbara McCarragher and Rachel Longley bordered on
being a revelation. They skated well together, were unfailing in their
defensive assignments and took it to their foe. It was fitting that they
nailed down the triumph. The surprise packet was a cameo from fresher
Kelcie Abraham, who showed some nice jets. Hunter's speed made her side go.
She had a glitchy game, but hung with it and was the team's heart. The MIT
woman of the match was Brenman. She remains a strong defender who controls
her zone. Considering the degree of her reach, she should be able to use
that skill more effectively. Brenman's cannon slap shot is a weapon, though
a clever dish or surprise wrister might prove more fatal. Still, watch her
skate and you will see why she can change a contest.
***
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006
Subject: UMass Boston Women 2 - St. Anselm 3
Friday evening, at Clark Athletic Centre, the University of Massachusetts
Boston Beacons were dispatched by the Hawks of Saint Anselm College. UMB
skated hard, but couldn't match the lovely patterns of their foe. SAC are a
poised side and deserved their 2-3 victory.
The Bobinhoes were thrown back at the start of the match by the Hawks'
furious fore-checking. With their intense skating and vision St. Anselm
dominated play. However, after a while, UMass Boston found their edges and
began creating pressure of their own. Playing up front, wily senior Melissa
Wigmore gave the Beacons a 1-0 advantage, when her second effort allowed her
to bank the puck into the netting, following a nice break up the gut. At
that point, the Hawks gradually turned up the volume and pinned UMB back in
their zone. In the final seconds, during a St. Anselm power play, super
sophy Kathleen Twomey knotted the score when she finished off an end-to-end
move. Maggie Dwyer and Brittany Kretzman setup the play with some passing
parfait. Considering the lovely partnership between the three, it was
fitting that they evened things up.
At the start of the second, sophomore Dwyer made the outlet pass, classmate
Kelsey Johnson carried the puck and found Kretzman who slipped it home.
Ooo-la-la! That power play tally was a near cousin of the Hawks' first goal
and made it 1-2. The Beacons were taking too many penalties. They were
skating well, but giving chances away. St. Anselm periodically pushed it,
while UMB went close, during a wonderful period of hockey.
Both sides wanted it, during the thrilling third time frame. Closing on the
halfway mark, UMass tied the contest at 2, when senior Melissa Belmonte
grabbed a loose puck and drilled it. It was anyone's game to win. Both
teams had chances, but the Hawks were looking dangerously organized. St.
Anselm won it during a hectic series of tight passes right in front of net.
Johnson had the final touch, after Twomey and senior Shelly Swan had worked
in close. UMB tried to gain a draw, but the Hawks' fore-checking was too
good.
St. Anselm are an intelligent squad that use their skilled control game to
full advantage. They don't panic. They are seldom hurried. They execute
their system with elan. The Hawks are so strong on the puck. Their power
play is delightful. SAC give their adversary little and are themselves
lethal. On defense, fresher Kasey Cedorchuk is slick. Her classic
anticipation and timely moves make for lovely blue line play. What can't
Dwyer do? She is so quick. Her soft outlet passes are parfait. The
defender of the match was Kretzman. Calm and collected, she is a tour de
force. Her surges forward are sublime. Kretzman is what hockey is all
about. Sophy Bianca DeSantis and senior Kendall Junta are great diggers and
a terrific attacking duo. They play with pace and tenacity. Their puck
interchange is super. Johnson guns it. She burns the ice and always
appears in unpredictable positions. The woman of the match was Twomey, a
power forward with blazing speed. She's so good at getting the biscuit
back, but her transitions are even better and her finishing is fantastic.
Twomey is the prototype St. Anselm player: smart, fast, strong and
determined.
UMass Boston has improved their team speed, but do not remember to keep
their feet moving, and thereby waste opportunities. The penalties hurt. In
net, former Northeastern Husky Jessica Sams looked good keeping her side in
the contest. Junior Katherine Wall did the scut work for the Beacons. Her
marking, filling lanes and skating made her team go. Wigmore had a strong
outing. She leads her mates up the middle and produced interesting ideas.
Belmonte was way fab. She was moving and giving her squad an edge that took
them close to victory. UMB played a lovely match against an accomplished
rival.
***
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006
Subject: Northeastern Women 1 - Providence 5
Saturday afternoon the Northeastern Huskies lost badly to the Providence
College Friars. The Matthews' affair found PC playing a lovely first period
and winning easily 1-5. NU's system remains horrendous.
After a sloppy few minutes from both teams, Providence turned it on with
some nice passing and a simple, yet devastating attack. Northeastern
continued to luxe out in the sin bin. The Friars scored their first power
play goal when the NU defense backed in and sophy Katy Beach drilled one
stick side. That was quickly followed by second-year Mari Pehkonen stuffing
in a PPG rebound at the far post, after Sonny Watrous's original shot, to
make it 0-2 PC. Sophomore defender Erin Normore finished off a lovely feed
from fresher Pamela McDevitt, at the near post, for the next Friar tally.
The final power play goal of the period came from senior Kristin Gigliotti,
when her point shot fluttered high into the net. The Huskies appeared to be
done like dinner.
In the second, Providence slipped into prevent - perchance for practice? -
which naturally evolved into rotation. Friar defenders Normore and Colleen
Martin along with forwards Sarah Feldman and Beach worked their phase
shifting dynamically. The Huskies played frustrated. PC collected another
power play effort when Pehkonen tipped in, after some nice team puck
movement.
The final installment stated clearly: we each have games tomorrow. Neither
contestant looked good. Northeastern finally scored their lone goal when
frisky fresher Chelsey Jones slotted home, after taking the telling feed
from senior captain Amy Goodney. The Huskies and Friars exchanged efforts,
however, none were calculating.
Providence effectively combine fair quickness, skilled passing and heads up
looking for each other, to form a piercing assault. Their defense was solid
and was led by super sharp senior captain goaltender Jana Bugden. She
stopped several NU breakaways. When Bugden plays as calm and cool as she
did today, PC is tough. Blue liner Normore was looking good. She stayed
with her mark and transitioned onto the attack extremely well. Martin is a
cagey defender. She reads the situations and reacts rapidly. Fellow
first-year McDevitt is a surging striker who creates dangerous chances.
Feldman is intelligent. She uses her wheels to produce turnovers and then
create space for her mates. Feldman's dishes were parfait. The Friar woman
of the match was Beach. She was everywhere. Up front, her determination
set the tone. On the blue line Beach was equally talented at disabling
opponent incursions.
The trivializing of sport with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was
unfortunately in fashion at Northeastern.
Match reports 2005-2006
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006
Subject: New Hampshire Women 6 - Boston College 0
Back at Matthews on Sunday, the New Hampshire Wildcats roasted the Boston
College Eagles 6-0, in the Hockey East final. UNH was too quick for the
stagnate BC side. The Wildcats ran away with the match.
The typhlotic nature of Hockey East continued - the trivializing of sport
with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was unfortunately in fashion
at Northeastern.
After a nerve filled opening few minutes, New Hampshire kicked it up a notch
and established dominance. The Wildcats' team speed was vastly superior and
their passing started to catch up. UNH's Sam Faber made it 1-0, during a
power play, after fellow fresher Kacey Bellamy had taken the puck to the
near circle, before laying off the feed parfait at the far post. Lovely
goal! A short time later, Bellamy was at it again. On another power play,
Bellamy again set up in the near circle and this time picked out second-year
Sadie Wright-Ward, with a resplendent cutback pass, that was driven into the
back of the net. Lovely goal! The killer score, to make it 3-0 UNH, came
after Wright-Ward and Faber had worked a delightful break, that was finished
by sophomore Jennifer Hitchcock, when she collected a big rebound and
slammed it home. The lone New Hampshire cloud was some terribly sloppy
plays around their own crease.
In the second, the Wildcats coasted. The comic ref attempted to make a game
of it, however, BC did not gratefully accept his gifts. Eventually, UNH
gathered two more tallies to make it 5-0. First, junior Shannon Clement
went on a solo effort around the Boston College defense and nicked the puck
past the netminder. Then, Hitchcock swatted in the next try after Bellamy
had dumped a chance in front of net.
For the finale, New Hampshire kept up just enough push to keep the Eagles in
their place. The interesting parts of the match were unquestionably over.
Fab Faber hit home a rebound for the final goal, from a face-off deep in BC
territory, after a particularly vicious hit to the head by a Boston College
defender.
It was so refreshing to see the skate and pass game being used, with aplomb,
in Division I.
New Hampshire won the Hockey East Championship with a touch of style. They
moved well and used each other effectively. If anything, it looked like UNH
could have turn up the volume easily. Faber was super. She made some
sensational setups, though at times, they were a tad flat. Faber's skill to
reclaim and hold onto the puck was a major reason UNH won. She is a lovely
striker. The woman of the match was blue liner Bellamy. She makes space
for her mates out of zilch. During defensive transitions, Bellamy is able
to reset the time continuum and allow her team to go forward.
***
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2006
Subject: MIT Women 1 - Manhattanville 11
Friday evening the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers lost 1-11
to the Manhattanville College Valiants. Oddly enough, MIT underscored all
of the Valiants' inadequacies. It was a match where Manhattanville went
thru the motions while the Techers played some strong hockey.
The first was lethargic. Ville was nondescript. MIT did rather well,
breaking up plays and moving forward. The Valiants collected three tallies,
the best from Jamie Longo, when she took a pass, during a power play, from
Michelle Witz at the side door and drove it home. 0-3 did not reflect how
well Techer fresher Stephanie Brenman and sophy Christina Ottomeyer were
playing on their blue line.
The same pattern continued in the middle frame. Manhattanville scored
another 4 goals - all individual stuff - none exactly memorable. MIT's
defense, with the exception of a few glaring lapses, skated well. In the
last second of play, Engineer Catherine Harding made it 1-7, when she
stuffed a lovely setup from junior Amanda Hunter. Hunter had hit her jets
and found the Ville blue liners wanting.
Not much changed in the third period, unfortunately. The Valiants gathered
another four scores. The Techers started to tire. 1-11 mirrored the
standings, if not the esprit.
Manhattanville left a lot to be desired. There were so many ways they could
have made the game interesting, and yet, they did none of them. For such an
adept side, it was a total waste.
MIT played very good. While their team attributes are not where they should
be, they were moving. The Techer defense acquitted themselves exceedingly
well. Sophomore Raffaela Wakeman is gradually regaining her form on the
blue line. Classmate Ottomeyer was tough. She made numerous interceptions
and blocked the passing lanes. The woman of the match was Brenman. The
lanky first-year was a stud. She dominated her zone. Brenman's skating was
splendid. Overall, an enormous effort for the Engineers.
***
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006
Subject: UMass Boston Women 0 - Manhattanville 5
At Clark Athletic Centre, the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons
hosted the Valiants of Manhattanville College, on Saturday afternoon.
Watching Mville reminds one of the finesse of the former Central Red Army
teams, juiced up with speed. UMB couldn't hang with all that power and
skill, and lost 0-5.
It was a wild opening period. The Vals came out attacking - weaving their
magical channels and creating multiple points of danger. The Beacons were
hard pressed. They managed a few nice counters, but overall were slapped
back by the waves of Manhattanville strikers. Approximately two-thirds thru
the first, the Valiants scored when Jessica Zimmerman slipped home a rebound
to make it 0-1. Zimmerman and her linemates Jessica Temesy and Jami Grasby
had been closing in on the UMB net from all sides. Mville continued their
fury, and only the expert twine tending of UMass Boston's Amanda Boucher
prevented things from getting out of hand. It was a wonderful twenty
minutes of hockey.
The second was slow. Manhattanville were off their game. UMB came out with
dump and chase and largely controlled the segment. Val sophy goalie Liane
Ortis and Boucher made some splendid reflex saves. Mville blue liners
Ashley Trimble and Dani Poupart took turns making incredible plays.
Meanwhile, forwards Katie Reardon and Katherine Wall led the way for the
Beacons.
At the start of the finale, senior Temesy drilled her try from the outside
circle to the high far post, to make it 0-2 Manhattanville, during a power
play. The goal essentially ended the contest. Play had been somewhat
chippy and in the third, that pattern continued. The Beacons looked toasted
and while the Vals didn't have the blistering pace of the first, they
quietly collected three more scores. First, sophy Jamie Longo hammered her
chance, after UMass had turned the puck over. A short time later, fresher
Alex Blackwell completed a slick break-in play, when she took the feed
parfait from fellow first-year Danielle Nagymarosi, and buried it. Lovely
goal! Last, Temesy threw in a quick flick from the outside circle, having
received the puck from Poupart after a face-off. Mville were full value for
their result.
Manhattanville is an excellently coached team. They can skate like the
wind. Their movement (their feet are always moving) with or without the
puck is superior. The Valiants do all the little things well. They look
and work for each other. What makes Mville special, is they feel the game.
They sense the moments and make them happen. In goal, Ortis was sharp. She
does not give much net to shoot at. Senior Trimble is a marvelous defender
who loves to sneak in from the point. Her marking is impressive. Another
solid blue liner is junior Darcie Jarvis. She is always their for her
partner. The line of Nagymarosi, Cory Alcorn and Blackwell is fast!
Nagymarosi and Blackwell are always looking for a breakaway and with their
quickness, it happens. Together, they are a classic Val line, skating and
passing as one. The line of the match was Temesy, Zimmerman and Grasby.
Wow - what can't these guys do? They make killer plays, at speed, and with
a certain panache that is thrilling to see. The woman of the match was
Poupart. Her swirling style is sumptuous. Perhaps, like a few of her
mates, she could use a longer stick, nevertheless, Poupart tries defensive
moves few could conceive and pulls them off in spectacular fashion. She
also makes penetrating passes that make her side move even faster. Poupart
is a lovely defender.
UMass Boston were totally exposed by their rival. They didn't have the pace
to keep up. Frustration was the keyword. That mood certainly was felt by
top sniper Andrea Ciarletta, as she had trouble finding her zone. Sophy
Katherine Wall did have some real good spells of back and fore-checking with
her up tempo skating. Junior Reardon did well. She did everything to turn
things around for her side. On defense, sophomore Audrey Deguire provided
tough cover and held her mates together. The UMB woman of the match was
Boucher. She gave Mville a time of it, with her remarkable reaction saves.
Facing that many methods of scoring, Boucher did extremely well to keep the
Beacons in it.
***
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006
Subject: MIT Women 3 - St. Michael's 5
On an obscenely warm January afternoon, at Johnson, the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology Engineers lost a close one, 3-5, to the Saint
Michael's College Purple Knights. The teams played at an exceptionally
lively pace. Both squads put on tons of pressure, but in the end, St.
Mike's claimed the key goals and thus victory.
While neither side played well together - passing appeared to be a lost art
form - both contenders came out with spells of attacking during Saturday's
first period. Either could have gained the early lead. In fact, in the
last minute of play, STM scored when fresher Kelly Adams picked up a loose
puck in front of net and buried it. The situation occurred because of some
rather lax Techer defending. Seconds later, the Knights took the puck up
the gut and after multiple rebounds, jazzy junior Melissa Gagne got the
final poke, to make it 0-2.
MIT came out on fire for the middle phase. They pushed the issue, however,
St. Mike's responded with a long break by sophy Leslie Pomponi. Her
centering pass found first-year Shannon Murphy right in front of goal, and
Murphy tipped it in. That did not deter the Techers, as they redoubled
their efforts and pinned the Knights in their own end. Eventually, during a
5 on 3 power play, MIT made it 1-3, when fresher Stephanie Brenman's point
shot, after a face-off, found nothing but net. The Engineers continued
their onslaught, but STM held firm and scored another tally, when sophomore
Gabrielle Bourgeois blew past the MIT defense and sent her try low near
post. It was a great period for the Techers despite the scoreline. St.
Michael's showed their worth by not getting frazzled and producing the
telling goals.
The host side kept hammering their guests in the third. STM for the most
part deflected the pressure. Nevertheless, MIT's Brenman made it 2-4 when
her rising slot shot found the mark. With time dwindling, junior Amanda
Hunter cut in a rebound off a point shot from Brenman, to make things even
closer. There were four minutes left and the outcome was not apparent.
Minutes late, the Knights' Murphy converted a rebound to decide the match.
The play was made by first-year defender Molly Dever, who settled things at
the point, walked in a tad and launched her try on net, to create the lovely
chance.
St. Michael's relies too much on individuals to make up for their lack of
team speed. They have the talent to be better. STM tends to stand around
too much. Still, they responded extremely well under fire. It's not easy
to soak up all that pressure and find the drive to attack. The Purple
Knights did just that and finished the job. Senior Michelle Miaskiewicz was
always pushing it for her team. She made her line go. Pomponi made a
number of nice setup passes. Gagne can make some marvelous moves that let
her walk thru defenses. Fresher Jess Tourville was super. Her breakaways
redefined the direction of the game. Tourville plays tough and handled many
difficult situations. Dever is a cool customer. She held her blue line
together. The STM woman of the match was Murphy. She does so many little
things well. There is a feeling when Murphy is on the ice, that the Knights
always have a chance of scoring.
MIT's skating is improving. If it was not for their pathetic off the puck
movement and passing, they might have been able to pull this one out. Of
course, it did not help matters that the blue liners collectively were not
on form. It was a huge effort by the team and the amount of attacking was
great. You know the Techers are fully stuck in, when senior Lauren
Nowierski is going down to block shots! Fellow senior Becky Romatoski
played a strong standup game on defense. Sophy Christina Ottomeyer was the
other blue liner who provided excellent coverage. Ottomeyer is starting to
move and it makes her other talents work. Classmate Cristina Stefanescu
demonstrated lots of attitude early in the contest. That seemed to be
another result of the overall enhanced team speed. The MIT woman of the
match was Hunter. Like all of her mates, she needs to get her head up. And
yet, it was Hunter's rapidity that made things happen.
***
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005
Subject: Harvard Women 0 - New Hampshire 3
The University of New Hampshire Wildcats ran away with a 0-3 victory at
Bright, on Saturday afternoon. UNH came out hot and fast and made it a no
contest. The main event proved to be the splendid skating of the Wildcats.
Even though New Hampshire were fully devoted to the exposed wrist look, they
dominated the opening segment. At times, it looked like a pinball game in
front of their opponent's net. We were treated to a UNH skating clinic that
featured the slick motions of junior Nicole Hekle and the escapist
tendencies of fresher Sam Faber. Add to that the divine touches of
delicious first-year Kacey Bellamy and Faber, and it appeared a minor
miracle that it was only 0-1 Wildcats. That goal came in the dying seconds
when second-year Leah Craig drove the puck high, on a power play.
At the start of two, UNH picked up the tempo. It demonstrated their number
one strength - team speed. New Hampshire was in the driver's seat. Midway
through, during a spell of slow play, Craig converted a rebound. Shortly
after that, Sadie Wright-Ward stuffed a power play setup made possible by
Jennifer Hitchcock and Craig, to make it 0-3. The period was not as
devastating for the Wildcats, but the goals came.
New Hampshire was not at full steam in the third. They produced a profusion
of breaks, but their finishing was not good.
UNH skates great. They pass the puck remarkably well. However, their
movement off the puck is elementary, at best. Today they won by pushing it
for the vast majority of the match. In goal, junior Melissa Bourdon showed
her mettle, particularly when her mates hung her out to dry. She made some
super saves. Sophomore Nicole Goguen keeps a tidy blue line. She is quick
and makes heads-up plays. Attacker Faber's talent to read situations and
sneak into critical areas are amazing. Her dishes were superb. For sheer
pace and the chutzpah to use it, we're talking Hekle. She flies. When the
Wildcats need a little something, Hekle makes it happen. The woman of the
match was Bellamy. Her cutbacks to intercept foes and transition onto
attack are lovely. Bellamy's skating and passing are parfait!
***
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005
Subject: Northeastern Women 2 - New Hampshire 8
Saturday evening at Matthews, the Northeastern Huskies were beaten 2-8 by
the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. UNH was too fast for the Huskies.
Though at times, when NU went for it, they looked fairly good.
The beginning of the game built into a one-way flow of traffic - all for New
Hampshire. Junior Nicole Hekle opened the scoring when she took a long feed
up the gut from Kacey Bellamy, broke past the Husky defense and slid the
puck in at the far post. And then, next to nothing happened. Action
virtually froze. Northeastern's fresher Erin Reil is a serious blue liner.
Her contributions are a cut above. Finally, the Wildcats got some of it
back together, when Lindsey Caleo made it 0-2, during a UNH power play.
Towards the start of the middle time frame, Husky first-year Colleen Sanborn
burst in on the UNH goal and junior Jessica Coppney was there to continue
her lovely scoring streak, by capitalizing on the rebound. That spell of NU
pressure was terminated when Hekle made it 1-3, with an outstanding effort,
while UNH was shorthanded. Northeastern had caught themselves out on the
blue line, the biscuit came to Hekle, who motored into a breakaway and drove
in for the easy deke and tuck. UNH continued, when during a 5 on 3 power
play, Bellamy was left to her own devices at the top of the circle. She
simply slapped the try into the back of the net. The NU defending was
atrocious. In the last minute, Bellamy sent the long feed parfait, up the
gut to Sadie Wright-Ward, who finished it.
As the finale started, the Huskies cranked it up again and in spite of some
strong New Hampshire play, freshers Courtney O'Connor and Cassie Sperry
broke the puck up the ice and in on the UNH net. Junior Ashley Bielawski
was there at the backdoor to apply the finishing touch, high into the
netting, to make it 2-5. Ziggy played hockey! However, the Wildcats soon
crushed that rebellion when a penalty was about to be called on NU. Hekle
was left unattended at the back post and Lindsay Hansen provided the nice
dish to slam home. After that, Leah Craig made it 2-7, when lots of UNH
attacks left Northeastern confused. Craig also got the last marker when the
Huskies failed to break the puck out and Hekle set up her mate adeptly.
New Hampshire's number one asset is their pace. They move exceptionally
well as a team. The Wildcats like to drive to the net and catch their
adversary out with a split point of attack. They can make some effective
longball passes that produce thrilling breaks. On the blue line, sophomore
Diana Saly is tough as nails. She's smart and strong. Fresher Bellamy
looks great at both ends of the ice. Her passing and shooting are heavenly.
Up front, first-year Sam Faber is fun. She cuts her patterns in an
interesting manner that gives UNH a different dimension. Hekle took her
three goals with the genius of a true striker. Her passes produced fine
setups that are often made more elegant by her own lovely shifts.
***
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005
Subject: Northeastern Women 3 - Connecticut 2
Late Sunday afternoon, the Northeastern Huskies won a close one from the
University of Connecticut Huskies. The 3-2 final score, from the total
blam-blam that is Matthews Arena, was a huge triumph for NU.
The contest had a ragged opening that built into up and down action. UConn
continue with their embarrassment of riches on the blue line, as junior
Alicia Ramolla and the latest gem, fresher Brianna Uliasz are indescribably
delicious. Meanwhile, Northeastern's Crystal Rochon and first-year Colleen
Sanborn were taking turns hitting their jets. But, at the end of one, there
was no scoring.
Connecticut need someone like fresher Kristen Russell to solidify their
strike force. NU's Rochon continued her fine attacks in the second and only
the very capable UConn goalie Kaitlyn Shain snuffed her. In the last
minute, Northeastern claimed a one goal lead when first-year Cassie Sperry
powered in on net with the puck and junior Ashley Bielawski was there to
connect with the rebound. Despite the snow white tan, NU's AB26 often has
her cloaking device engaged. Ziggy played it left hand, and damaged the
net. Except for that too brief a treat, it was a tedious 20 minutes.
After a meaningless first half of the final period, NU made it 2-0 when Ali
Bielawski deflected in a centering pass from sister Ashley. UConn struck
back with Jaclyn Hawkins setting up Russell, who made no mistake. Moments
later, Connecticut used a spread play that allowed Jennifer Houlden to pick
out first-year Samantha Reid. Reid went high and evened the score at two
all. There were five minutes left and everything to play for. Northeastern
won it, when after a spell where UConn was pushing it, junior Jessica
Coppney stabbed home a centering pass for the 3-2 scoreline. It was a major
victory for NU.
Connecticut have nice team speed. Their puck movement isn't what it should
be. They play lots of team defense, but where's the attack? Sophy Britney
Chandler was a big part in the UConn comeback. She was fully stuck in with
her special talent to dig the puck. Shain looked solid in net. Ramolla is
great. Her skills in her own zone and moving her side forward are super.
Uliasz is a force on the ice. Her vision and tactical awareness are
excellent.
***
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005
Subject: UMass Boston Women 3 - RIT 4 OT
The University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons were edged by the Tigers of
the Rochester Institute of Technology 3-4, in overtime, at the Clark. The
early Sunday afternoon face-off found the Fates letting RIT pull this one
out. UMB was easily their equal today.
It was a sluggish start. Mass Boston had more of the play, largely due to
the skating of junior Katie Reardon and sophy Katherine Wall. Eventually,
Beacon sophomore Lauren O'Connor weaved her way through the RIT defense and
fired high, to make it 1-0. UMB continued to set the pace, however, in the
closing minutes, after a Tiger power play, RIT senior Kaley Ostanek took a
feed from sophy Allison Bernstein that dinged in off the post, to tie the
game at one.
The two netminders, UMass senior Amanda Boucher and Tiger junior Nicki
Werner were busy in the middle period. Both registered key saves. RIT were
often guilty of standing around, while the Beacons were going for it. UMB
regained the lead, when after an interlude of Tiger pressure, junior Melissa
Belmonte broke the puck the length of the ice, before first-year Maria
Guanci finished the job, by going five hole. RIT countered with a power
play score when fresher Jessica Ciaramella was left all alone to float off
the left post, before she nailed it. Maegan Geypens and Isabelle Richard
were credited with assists. The Beacons' Melissa Wigmore made a series of
freelance efforts that could have given the advantage back to UMB. The
Tigers were lucky to be tied at two.
In the final segment, at last, it was time for intensity. Both teams wanted
the win. RIT forged ahead when sophy Richard went in on a solo breakaway
and shuffled the puck before slipping it under the goalie's pads.
Ooo-la-la! Lovely goal! For awhile, that looked like it would be enough,
till in the last five minutes UMass forced a scrum in front of the Tiger's
net, that resulted in the disk trickling over the line, to tie things at
three. RIT came alive. But regulation ended a draw. That suited the
performances on the ice. Overtime, during the season, is a silly concept.
But in OT, the Tigers pressed and the Beacons countered. RIT won it off a
face-off deep in the UMB zone. The puck bounced in front and Lindsay Latour
whacked it home for a 3-4 victory.
RIT are trying to burn themselves. They appear to believe the game will
just happen for them. It is a waste of a lot of talent. The Tigers took
too many penalties, all of which they deserved. The mainstay of RIT are
players like Ostanek and Becky Jaiven. They do tons of skating for their
mates and make their side move. Fresher Ciaramella had a lovely weekend.
Her hustle and touch are marvelous. Blue liners Chelsea Palmer and Stacey
McConnell were tight markers and made telling transitions. The woman of the
match was Richard. Like the lurking Tiger that she is, Richard sneaks her
way into hot spots and then strikes with elan. Like the rest of her team,
she tended to wait too much today. Even so, with razor paws it appears
stealth is part of the game.
UMB were tough this afternoon. They worked well for each other and stayed
within their scheme. The Beacons merited at least a tie for their splendid
play. Wall continued her speed show and made things tick-tick. Reardon did
the little things well and held her line together. She is a wonderful
attacker. On defense, sophomore Audrey Deguire was way cool. She stood her
assailants up on the blue line and flexed with the best. Junior Wigmore's
excellent adventures just about won it for the Beacons. It is a question of
timing and the Wig is looking good. The UMB woman of the match was Boucher.
She keeps her side in it by making so few errors. Boucher has great
position, the tough mitten and classic read/reacts.
***
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2005
Subject: UMass Boston Women 2 - RIT 3
Noontime Saturday, at Clark Athletic Centre, the University of Massachusetts
Boston Beacons lost 2-3 to the Tigers of the Rochester Institute of
Technology. It was a lovely match. Both sides had their moments, but in
the end, RIT's advanced skating and passing lifted them to victory.
In the first period, the Tigers evolved into an all out press. That
produced a delicious RIT goal from sophy Isabelle Richard, when she took a
nice feed from fresher Brittany Davies and shattered the net. UMB was
having trouble staying with RIT. However, at that point the Tigers went
into drift mode. While they have superb defenders in junior captain Stacey
McConnell and first-year Chelsea Palmer, it still begs the question: why,
and more importantly, why?
As the middle interval began, RIT remained in cruise control and gradually
Mass Boston started to push it. Junior blue liner Melissa Wigmore was
starting to make some thunder and with the likes of classmates Katie Reardon
and Andrea Ciarletta, it was only a matter of time. Super snipe Ciarletta
tied the score at one when she deked the goalie out of her sox and tucked
home. Melissa Belmonte and Wigmore received assists. It is possible that
the RIT goalie was stigmatized by the Clark French fry warmers that came on
over the stands just before the chance. The Tigers came bounding back when,
out of the corner, Richard returned the favor and setup Davies, who drilled
her shot high far post. Lovely goal! At 1-2 RIT, it felt like the ideal
time to establish a multi-goal advantage, but instead, the Tigers glided.
So, who wants it, was the preestablished theme for the finale. Eventually,
RIT fresher attacker Jessica Ciaramella made it 1-3 when she stuffed a big
rebound into the back of the net. The UMB goalie could have sued for lack
of support. At that point, the Beacons poured it on and went excruciatingly
close. RIT also tried to settle it, however were slightly off form. With
their goalie pulled, UMB made it more interesting when Wigmore scored to
make it 2-3. A Tiger defender deserved an assistant on that tally, as she
wiped out herself and her partner to create the situation. RIT hung on for
the close win and made tomorrow's rematch even more enticing.
The Tigers are a good team. Their team speed is improving and the puck
movement had spells of brilliance. They lack the audacity to put the game
away. It should not have been this tight. Junior Nicki Werner displayed a
sharp glove in goal. She was adroitly aided by Palmer, who is a strong blue
liner. Her perception is top shelf and that allows her to produce refined
counters. Up front, Davies appears a diamond in the rough. Her passes are
splendid. Davies and Richard should become a rather dynamic striking duo.
Disco Richard played big. The razor always seems to have a lethal look to
her and you know at any point in time, she may create magic. Richard was
the attacker of the match. The woman of the match was McConnell. The
ultimate power defender, she makes so many crucial breakups look simple.
McConnell is the leader with an improving band.
Mass Boston needs to get their skating up to the mark. It holds them back.
They have a talented group of scorers, some fine defenders and goalies, but
without the legs, where can they go? The Beacons played their game well.
They gave away little and were a menace to their opponent. Senior Amanda
Boucher is an excellent standup goaltender. She has a tough mitten to beat.
Ciarletta produces goals out of next to nothing. She is a lovely scorer.
Sophomore Katherine Wall has a wonderful set of wheels. She was flying at
both ends of the ice and is an extremely good team player. The UMB woman of
the match was former NU Husky Wigmore. She needs to rope it in a tad -
well, more than a tad - nevertheless, she provided good cover and her
ranging style suits the Beacons. Wigmore and her mates should go for a
higher performance level.
***
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005
Subject: Northeastern Women 1 - Providence 5
The weather outside was delightful, with the snow falling on Matthews quite
full - Meanwhile inside, the Northeastern Huskies were impaled by the
Providence College Friars 1-5. It was no contest. NU continued to dabble
with defensive hockey, whereas PC came out attacking and put the game away
early. - let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Saturday's matinee started with the Friars flying as they crushed the
Huskies. Fresher Erin Normore opened the scoring for Providence when she
trailed the play in and buried her try high. The goal was made by captain
fantastic Karen Thatcher as she surged in on the NU defense and produced the
setup. A short time later, Thatcher made it 0-2 PC when she took a feed off
the boards from junior Sonny Watrous, held onto the puck while surrounded by
three Northeastern defenders, made a quick deke and then nailed it. Lovely
goal! Early candidate for goal of the year. Providence was too fast and
their passing continued to devastate the Huskies. Junior Kristin Gigliotti
collected the next Friar tally when she took a rebound and shot it thru a
maze of players. Gigliotti notched her second to make it 0-4 PC when her
point blast deflected in off the netminder's shoulder pad. It was an
amazing period of hockey for Providence.
Things were decidedly off the boil as the second began. So little happened,
it almost appeared like the teams wanted to call off the game and get on
with tomorrow's rematch at Providence. The final PC score was a gift
resulting from an absurd penalty call by the main zebra. Northeastern
first-year blue liners Courtney O'Connor and Erin Reil were impressive.
Reil played within her game and made some slick transitions. O'Connor was
intrepid with her determined cover. The only real question - why isn't faux
fresher goalie Sarah Belliveau playing a lot more?
By the final frame, somebody had clearly misplaced the kettle. Like an
early snowfall, the flakes lacked proper sugar content. The Huskies scored
their only goal of the game when the head zebra made a series of make up
calls. Junior Crystal Rochon was on fire, as she slammed home a rebound,
after developing the chance by digging back and stealing the puck during a
potential PC breakaway.
Providence played with superior team speed. Their passes were to mates who
were on the go. No dump and chase! When the Friars needed it, their
marking was tight. First-year forward Stephanie Morris appears to use a
magic stick, as some of the passes she was able to snared were hard to
believe. Watrous displayed excellent fore-checking with her all out hustle.
In goal, senior Jana Bugden makes it all look so easy. She is a cool cat.
She is aided by clever fresher blue liner Normore who hangs onto the puck so
well. Sophy Rachel Crissy plays big. Her flair on the penalty kill is
lovely. Crissy needs to stay out of the box, and keep her feet moving if
she is to develop fully. The woman of the match was Thatcher. Her
aggressive attacking pace is wonderful. Thatcher's main asset is her
ability to remain patient while controlling the puck, before she dishes off
or makes the super shift to set herself free. She is a sensational striker
that makes everyone around her play better.
The trivializing of sport with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was
unfortunately in fashion at Northeastern.
Match reports 2004-2005
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005
Subject: MIT Women 1 - Castleton 0 OT
Friday evening, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers edged
the Castleton State College Spartans 1-0, in overtime, at Johnson Rink. As
the scoreline indicates, it was a very close match. MIT controlled much of
the play, but Castleton always looked dangerous around net. In the end, the
Engineers worked a quick counterattack and produced an admirable league
victory.
As the contest started, MIT rapidly took charge. Their slick defensive
passing let them produce some fine breakout plays. The Engineers' bold
attacks were only stymied by their inept off the puck movement. Meanwhile,
CSC was engaged in tight coverage and quick counters. However, after one,
it remained scoreless.
After the initial pressure by the Spartans in the second, when they poured
over the MIT blue line and looked set to take the match, it turned into the
Amanda Hunter show. The sophy Engineer made multiple long solo rushes that
left Castleton at sixes and sevens. And when CSC did get a break, there was
MIT senior goalie Regina Sullivan coming off her line to prevent a solo
attempt. Still, there was no scoring.
The final period was fairly evenly played, though the last ten minutes the
Spartans hit another purple patch, that was only crushed by the combined
strength of the MIT defenders. Fresher Raffaela Wakeman was key. Castleton
junior Halley Grabarz went so close to winning it. But again, there were no
tallies.
In overtime, the Spartans tried to take the face-off up the gut, but were
blocked. MIT's Hunter grabbed the puck and hit breaking first-year Rachel
Longley. She burst forward and swatted a shot on the CSC netminder who
stopped it, but left a rebound that Hunter put home for the game winning
goal.
Castleton play tough defensively and have an interesting transition game
that let's them cut in quickly on their opponent's goal. They are a tad
feisty. The Spartans like to push and hook, but that really works against
them, as they end up in the box. Fresher goaltender Rachel Dunn was solid.
She backed her side well and gave little room for the shooters. The
Castleton woman of the match was Grabarz. In addition to her high-quality
skating, she is a very smart hockey player. She knows what's happening and
uses that to her team's advantage.
Now that MIT has an Anna's of their own - c'est tout le monde - perhaps even
Random Hall will develop "Beaver Fever!" MIT came out strong. They played
extremely well as a team. There was always someone ready to step it up if
things got chaotic. Sullivan was big in net. She shut the door and made
things easier for her side. She was helped by excellent performances from
Mary Harding and Becky Romatoski. Harding's skate was major. Her marking
was spot on and her rushes were splendid. Romatoski's no nonsense attitude
held her blue line together. She tidied up many dodgy situations. Up
front, Lauren Nowierski was voted most likely to recycle a try into the back
of the net. Senior Betty Zheng showed flashes of intensity at both ends of
the ice. Sophomore Hunter gave MIT a sharpness with her up-tempo skating.
Wakeman played great and was the woman of the match. Her clever passes
launched her squad and shaped attractive formations. However, Wakeman's
heads-up style was the huge element in the MIT win. She snuffed out
potentially sticky problems and let her team strike.
***
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005
Subject: MIT Women 1 - RIT 7
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers were defeated, 1-7, by
the Tigers of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sunday at Johnson.
Both sides played well, however, RIT's superior skill sets were too much for
MIT.
Even though the Year of the Rooster is imminent, the Tigers were jamming.
MIT and RIT were both using matrix theory, so extrapolation became the word
of the day. The resulting ranges were rather striking and posed an
interesting set of variables for the defenders. RIT opened the scoring when
super senior Alysia Park poked home a rebound. Fresher Isabelle Richard
made it 0-2 when she took a fine feed from Kasie Strong and broke up the
gut. First-year Jackie Fraser completed the Tigers' first period total when
she scored off a right wing break.
The middle stanza was owned by MIT senior goaltender Regina Sullivan. She
was on her game and made a number of hard combination saves. She was aided
by sophy blue liner Mary Harding who broke up several plays and made some
effective breaks of her own. Ultimately, RIT made it 0-4 when fresher
Rachel Chrash collected a shot from the point and slammed the puck into the
netting. At the close of the second, while a penalty was being called on
the Tigers, Amanda Hunter picked up a rebound and tucked it home. The
Engineers had made it 1-4.
The teams found it tough sledding in the third. Sullivan continued her form
for MIT, but gradually RIT turned up the pressure. Fraser collected her own
rebound for the fifth Tiger marker. Park spiked one home to make it 1-6.
And then, the best for last; Richard and Strong broke in two on none. They
cleverly worked the puck back and forth, waiting till the last second, when
Richard finally had the empty net, and nailed it! Ooo-la-la! RIT played a
relaxed match. They made a lot of pretty plays and showed some intelligent
movement. Park is exceptional. She is a stylish attacker and makes things
happen. What makes Strong special is that as she makes her lovely passes,
her skates are moving her into the next play. The outcome is she is always
ahead of the action and ready. Richard had a nice turn of speed today. She
digs the ice. The RIT woman of the match was the line of freshers Allison
Bernstein and Rachel Chrash and sophomore Lindsay Latour. They worked so
well together. Bernstein is a coach's dream. She is good overall, digs for
the puck and makes great passes. Chrash is an aggressive fore-checker. She
uses her quickness well for her mates. Latour is hustle. A superb
back-checker her number one strength is her talent off the puck.
MIT played well as a team. They passed the puck particularly well. While
the Engineers couldn't stay with the highflying Tigers, they remained within
their system. Trendy blue liner Lauren Nowierski was clearly attempting to
refute the second law of thermodynamics, with somewhat limited success.
Perhaps something is wrong with her matter - antimatter mixture, as the warp
bubble just wasn't forming. Nevertheless, her passing was excellent.
First-year defender Raffaela Wakeman seemed to sense the right place to be.
She was always there. Junior Becky Romatoski's alert approach helped her
marking and let her contribute to MIT's sequence passing. Senior forward
Betty Zheng was gunning it. She made some top shelf plays at both ends of
the ice. Sullivan's reaction saves were marvelous. She made her side look
good. The MIT woman of the match was Harding. Her cover was tough and
efficient. Her surges forward helped the Engineers develop a more complete
game. MIT went for it.
***
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005
Subject: UMass Boston Women 2 - RIT 4
Back at Clark, on a luminous Saturday afternoon, the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons were out skated by the Tigers of the Rochester
Institute of Technology 2-4. UMB did well to give the Tigers a difficult
outing. RIT's superior movement was always going to win this contest.
RIT came out storming. They put the hammer down and basically there was
little UMass Boston could do about it. First, sensational senior Alysia
Park collected her own rebound and stuffed it for a 0-1 Tiger advantage.
Next, Jackie Fraser deflected a shot, to give RIT a two goal lead. The
second goal was made by the adeptly placed try from the point by senior blue
liner Julie Romans. UMB looked totally confused.
At the start of the second, the Beacons came back hard and pushed RIT.
UMB's fresher forward Kate Webb made it 1-2, when from a face-off, she took
a feed from center Andrea Ciarletta, twirled and fired the puck into the
back of the net. The Tigers felt the heat and cranked it up themselves. As
might be expected, Park turned it on, went down the left wing and from a
wide-angle drilled it home, to re-establish RIT's 2 goal cushion. Not to be
outdone, UMass Boston got back in it when Ciarletta and Webb went in on a
two on none. Ciarletta had the puck, used Webb as a decoy and flipped it
in, to make it 2-3. The game was on.
The final period was tight. RIT had control, but UMB was waiting for any
half chance. Both sides made some good plays and took too many foolish
penalties. In the end, first-year Tiger Isabelle Richard took a lovely pass
and buried it to finish the match. Kasie (or Casey, as Bobby so
pathetically disguised her) Strong laid on the feed parfait, to break the
play up the gut for the telling tally.
RIT looked good. They used a simpler set today and while the timing was
still telegraphed, it hung together. The Tigers #1 power play unit is
excellent. The way they move and move the puck is spontaneously delicious.
RIT did take a series of stupid penalties today. They came close to hurting
themselves as a few players lost their composure. First-year Breanna Dobbe
was cool in net. She backstopped her side and let them take risks. Fresher
Kiersten Shinrock played tough defense. Her vision is first-rate. Romans
provided good cover as well as a thunderous shot. Up front, first-year
Allison Bernstein was impressive. She made her line come alive with her
daring darts. Senior captain Strong was elegant. Her touch and vision were
remarkable. The woman of the match was that titan Park. She does so much
dynamic skating for her team and helps her mates through the problematic
spells. Park was great on the penalty kill. She has an edge to her skating
that allows her to make things happen. Park plays big and is a treat to
watch. RIT did well to sweep the series.
UMass Boston's team speed isn't good enough to stay with the better teams.
They try to get by with variations on poke and push, but they need to work
on basic skills. UMB deserves a lot of credit for plugging away and making
it a close game. Webb does so many little things for her line. She also
makes the big plays happen with her desire. Ciarletta is an exceptional
sniper. As she goes, so goes UMass Boston. The UMB woman of the match was
sophy Amanda Boucher. She is a smart, standup netminder. She has
astonishingly quick reflexes. Boucher gives her team every opportunity to
win a match, because she rarely makes a mistake. UMB deserve a better plan.
***
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005
Subject: UMass Boston Women 1 - RIT 4
Friday, as we settled into six additional months of winter, as boldly
calculated by the Ground Hog, the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons
encountered the Tigers of the Rochester Institute of Technology, at Clark
Athletic Centre. 1-4 was the final, as RIT moved the puck around UMB.
The match began with both teams more than a smidgen verklempt. Neither
exactly had the biscuit baking. Senior RIT captain Alysia Park was looking
hot. Her swooping moves were lovely. UMB's sophomore Andrea Ciarletta was
also sharp with her wait and look style. In fact, UMass Boston would score
first when fresher Katherine Wall grabbed a loose puck in front of net and
stabbed it home for 1-0 lead.
As the middle frame unfolded, the Tigers were starting to take control of
the game. Action was mostly in the UMB end and it seemed only a matter of
time. First-year Becky Jaiven tied the match at one for RIT, when she poked
in a rebound. The play was made by Park who had done all the skating to set
the situation up. UMass were fortunate that they had Shannon Palmer and her
blistering glove in net. But, RIT kept the pressure up and eventually
notched the game winning goal when fresher Isabelle Richard corked an
unstoppable shot to the high far post. Ooo-la-la! Seniors Kendra Bredlau
and Kasie Strong assisted on the play with some wonderful passes that set
the streaking Richard free. At that point, UMB changed goalies, and while
Amanda Boucher played extremely well in relief, there was no reason. The
result was an immediate third tally from the Tigers when sophy Lindsay
Latour continued the onslaught.
The third lacked substance. RIT was vaguely in prevent mode. The Beacons
looked like they wanted to save it for tomorrow's rematch. At the midway
point, Park sealed the game for the Tigers at 1-4, when she produced a
turnover, walked in, drilled her shot high and found nothing but net.
RIT have a vastly improved system. It involves a matrix technique that can
create some impressive changeups. The only problem is the Tigers' skating
isn't really up to it. With additional team speed, they could be
incredible. For now, they seem to struggle with it. Latour was appealing.
She is easily their best two-way player. The line of Strong, Richard and
Bredlau was super. Strong has excellent control and is a perceptive passer.
Bredlau is frisky. She makes her line go. La petite rocket Richard was
marvelous. When she's burning the ice and turns on the cannon - look out!
The RIT woman of the match was Park. Her speed was sensational. She loves
to make these big shifts that let her walk through defenses. Park also
enjoys a nice catnap, but when she's on motor, she is a presence. For now,
the Tigers have earned an incomplete.
The trivializing of sport with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was
unfortunately in fashion at UMass Boston.
***
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005
Subject: Northeastern Women 1 - Connecticut 2
At Matthews Arena, the Northeastern Huskies were defeated by the Huskies of
the University of Connecticut 1-2. The match featured a great ten minutes
of skating during the middle of the first period. Both sides were playing
flat out and it was an extreme pleasure.
Friday, with Boston coated in a thick blanket of snow, the transportation
systems were sluggish, which is why coming in on the all-out blitz was so
delicious. Each team produced some appealing sets, though UConn seemed to
be coming out with more of them. There was no scoring, but that was due to
some fine team defense, not to mention some expert blue liners. NU junior
Lindsay Snider kept it simple with her solid coverage. Meanwhile, at the
other end, the big two, sophies Alicia Ramolla and Natalie Vibert were
superb.
The pedestrian second found Connecticut wanting to take charge of the game
and coming very close. Fresher Britney Chandler made it 0-1 Blue Huskies at
the midpoint when she spiked home a rebound during a power play.
Northeastern was busy collecting trips to the penalty box. However, just
when it looked like UConn might be going for it, a defensive mistiming let
NU steal the puck and sophomore Jessica Coppney tied the score at one. The
game winner came from Connecticut first-year Jaclyn Hawkins when she burst
through the Black Husky defense and took the puck to the net.
"Going through the motions" was about all one could say for the final phase.
Certainly, the latest take of twist & shout from Northeastern's Missy Elumba
and Ashley Bielawski had its moments. Plus the riveting quickness of UConn
seniors Angie Wallace and Shannon Connolly was splendid. Nevertheless,
clearly game two, much like the Ground Hog, was on the event horizon.
This is a very fast, strong and smart UConn hockey team. Their
fore-checking design is excellent. The Huskies play tight defense and have
an improved counterattack. One of the elements that makes that transition
is senior Tiffany Owens. Her powerful cruises setup many situations.
Wallace was outstanding with her aggressive pace. Chandler plays with
drive. She loves to force the issue and appears to have a nose for the net.
Kaitlyn Shain was effective in goal as she calmed things down when under
severe attack. Ramolla has grown more dominant on the blue line. She has
some great answers and is able to pull off some lovely counters. Vibert
takes risks. And yet, her moves are so amazing, and she is able to slip in
and out of so many crises with the puck, that it is worth it. Vibert is
singular. The woman of the match was Connolly. This kid was gunning it.
She is a rich combination of exceptional back-checker and adroit playmaker.
Connolly can lay on the sweet pass and move well off the puck. Tonight her
skating was magnificent. Connecticut looks good with their high-end team
speed.
***
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005
Subject: Northeastern Women 3 - Boston College 1
Sunday's after tiffin treat featured the Huskies of Northeastern defeating
the Boston College Eagles 3-1. It was a painfully sloppy match that was a
credit to neither side. Thankfully, a few brilliant moments from sophy top
gun Ashley Bielawski made the event.
The hebetudinous Huskies keep taking bunches of inane penalties. However,
they scored first in the opening frame on a power play of their own, when
Bielawski got the final touch after Missy Elumba fired a shot on net from
the circle. BC tied the contest at one shortly afterwards when blue line
standout Sarah Carlson took it straight to the net and finished off high.
The excruciatingly slow second seemed like it would never end. Boston
College could have put the game away, but wasted their chances. With the
specter of Stanislavsky hanging out at cavernous Matthews, "don't get lost
in the part", might be an apt phrase for the Huskies.
Hockey is a sport of 1-3 minute creative segments. Most of the time, very
little happens. But, 2-3 times a match, generally, these wonderful moments
occur. It often determines the outcome and is what makes ice hockey a
lovely entertainment. There was only one such instant today. It happened
about 5 minutes into the third. First, senior defender Lori DiGiacomo took
a fine setup pass in the high slot from Crystal Rochon, during a 6 on 4
power play, and drilled her try high to make it 2-1 NU. And then, during a
session of 5 on 5 action, Bielawski took the puck up the gut, held off
several defenders and went top shelf for the decisive third goal. BTW, her
burst of speed, like several others today, was tremendous. And BTW,
Bielawski's ability to control the puck and beat the goalie with Eagles
draped all over her was outstanding. And BTW, it was a slammin' goal!
BC is a mixed bag at best. They have a few good skaters, no passers and
frequently no one wants the puck. Sophomore Michelle Lombardi looked good.
She can motor. The shadow of fresher Sarah Feldman made it look like there
might be a very fascinating player there. Today, it was difficult to tell.
Senior Carlson is a gem. She has a commanding style and does so many little
things well.
***
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004
Subject: Northeastern Women 2 - Princeton 6
On a foggy Saturday afternoon in Boston, the Huskies of Northeastern lost,
2-6, to the Princeton Tigers. Desole. It was a case of design versus
talent and with NU playing flat, the solo gifts of the Tigers were more than
enough to determine the contest.
The match at Matthews began with Princeton leaping out to an early
advantage. Sensational sophomore Liz Keady collected a 4 on 6 power play
goal when she poked home a rebound. Except for their penchant for taking
penalties, Northeastern appeared fairly cadaveresque. Meanwhile, Keady and
friends were running wild. Keady made it 0-2 when she turned it on and
produced a lovely skating goal. Wow! While she made some untimely errors
later in the game, Husky Chrissy Sands also made some discerning plays on
the blue line.
The sleepover second was not a thrill. NU created some fairly high-quality
chances with sophy Ashley Bielawski looking unusually lively. Princeton's
individuals were off the boil.
The tepid third period found the Huskies pulling to within one, when fresher
Missy Elumba banged home an early rebound after Bielawski went close. It
looked like we might have a match after all until NU took an ugly 5 minute
major, that they fully deserved. Kim Pearce, Brittany Salmon and Keady all
scored for the Tigers during that major to finish the event. Bielawski
nailed a power play goal for the home side with a try from the slot.
Eventually, as the finale lingered on Princeton's Marykate Oakley would
collect an empty-net tally, after a Northeastern defensive giveaway, to make
it 2-6. One of the positive points for the Huskies was the powerful
multidimensional play of sophy Amy Goodney.
Princeton are a boring team, however, they have wonderful individuals that
ad lib with the best of them. It's like watching pickup hockey. Student
body left, student body right, and then, a brilliant burst of speed, a
swirling ringer and a drop-dead gorgeous move. This naturally brings us to
the four slashing swords of the Tigers. Junior Tarah Clark loves to skate.
Her cover is excellent, but when she's lurking about, it's not safe for
defenders. First-year Salmon makes these tight little turns at speed. She
loves to go on a deke and weave. Fellow fresher Sonja Novak is a delight.
While she tends to be a tad light on her stick, she knows how to let-it-rip.
Her quickness is excellent. The woman of the match was the ever
effervescent Keady. Unlike so many other players, she is continuously
skating. Keady does it all. She not only creates flowing hockey for her
mates, but is a great digger. When she's on the ice, something is about to
happen. Oh - - and when it comes to couture, Princeton has slammin'
outfits!
The trivializing of sport with loud pop music at every stoppage of play was
unfortunately in fashion at Northeastern.
***
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004
Subject: Northeastern Women 0 - Wisconsin 4
It was a great day for hockey at Centre Bright, as the Huskies of
Northeastern took on the Badgers of Wisconsin. The Bucksters shutout NU
0-4, but were disorganized. Northeastern did well to keep the game close.
The Saturday afternoon contest commenced with Husky tender of the twine
Marisa Hourihan holding her team in it. She made a lot of tough saves, and
with the likes of super UW center Sara Bauer darting here and there, there
were many to be made. Northeastern countered with the spirited two-way play
of sophy Amy Goodney. Wisconsin got on the board when Molly Engstrom
converted a lovely weak side feed from senior blue liner Carla MacLeod. The
insipid ref was back - clearly, le cirque had the taste to reject him!
The less said about the second, the better. Lindsay Macy made it 0-2
Badgers. Bauer displayed her latest dance moves and NU's Crystal Rochon
made a fine rush before ringing her try off the post.
In the final period, both teams tried to be more convincing. Wisconsin
collected two point shot goals from fresher Emily Morris. Badger Bauer made
some gorgeous surges. The last one, where she hit a delay before running a
cut back was superb! The Huskies also made some good breaks, but just
failed to finish.
Wisconsin may have been worn-out, polite or maybe they were trying to prove
that they don't really have a game plan. Whatever the case, they were
vastly under utilizing their talent. The assortment of individuals we got
was powerful enough to win, yet it was nowhere near what they are capable of
doing. Besides her 2 goals, Morris was awfully calm and collected on the
blue line. She finds the best solution and goes for it. Kristen Witting
showed great fluidity in her skating. The defender of the match was
MacLeod. Playing smart and loose, she is a force at both ends of the ice.
MacLeod's dishes are delicious. The woman of the match was Bauer. Her
acceleration and drive are something else. Her passing is even better.
Bauer is a treat to see as she boogies her way around the ice. The Badgers
can play much better.
They're mad, bad and dangerous to know - my dear, how Brian Howard.
Northeastern's new layered look is developing in many directions. Even
though they were overmatched on paper, NU had clever countermeasures. Not
all the assignments are perfected, but improvement is the word of the day.
And the best part - they're playing as a team! Sophy Melissa Wigmore was
the outstanding blue liner. Her crucial breakups were excellent. Wigmore
loves to join the hunt and made several nice attacks. Hourihan had a hot
glove. She stood her ground and faced the shooter boldly. First-year Missy
Elumba can motor. Her blitzes were wonderful. Elumba plays with grumba.
Marie Desrosiers back-checked with great vigor. She needs to keep her stick
on the ice, nonetheless she is a very strong player. The Northeastern woman
of the match was vertiginous Goodney. As a defensive forward, she gave her
opponent little room. When striking she gunned it. Goodney is one of the
sparks that makes her side sizzle. Ah, the new winter modes - layers!
***
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004
Subject: Harvard Women 4 - Wisconsin 6
On a brisk Friday, with a full moon's reflection shimmering on the river
Cam, Harvard were overpowered by the Badgers of Wisconsin by the score of
4-6. Centre Bright was the scene, as the Badgers overran their host. Using
a nice mixture of defensive covers, alert passing and go-after-it hockey,
Bucky got the job done.
From the start, it was evident that sophy Sara Bauer was the player to
watch. Her smart game created the openings that allowed Wisconsin to power
forward. It was extremely fitting that Bauer collected the first goal when
she stuffed her try high. Linemates Sharon Cole and Lindsay Macy found her
partially open down low and she did the rest. At that point, the Badgers
took a series of moronic penalties and gave away two tallies. Fortunately,
Wisconsin regrouped and produced a tying goal from Macy. Bauer made the
lovely dish for her to swat home. At the end of the first, the Badgers took
a 2-3 lead when Macy finished off a mass charge up the length of the ice.
Bauer and senior Jackie Friesen assisted on the sortie.
Perhaps yesterday's tryptophan laden turkey contributed to the start of the
poky middle period. Ultimately, UW gained a two goal margin when Friesen
accepted a marvelous longball feed from junior Nikki Burish, walked in all
alone and dinged the puck in off both posts. However, Wisconsin drifted out
of the match and let in another score to keep things tight at 3-4.
The Badgers seemed bent on wasting chances in the final frame. They gave up
another marker to tie the contest at four. The game winning goal came when
Wisconsin's Burish took a great feed from Meaghan Mikkelson, after a failed
breakout attempt and hit it in at the far post. The cruncher was a power
play, empty-netter that junior Grace Hutchins sliced in.
When you say Wisconsin, you need to qualify that statement. They have ok
team speed. The Badger blue liners like to clear the puck out from in front
and make effective passes. When on song, they have a well-timed power
forward plan that overwhelms. But, Wisconsin also tends to take naps and
get caught out. Senior defender Carla MacLeod is a gifted leader. She's so
quick and makes delightful passes. Sophomore Kristen Witting was the other
standout on the blue line. She's clever with the puck and has some slick
moves. The inside-out Badger was Burish. Her marking was first-rate but
her attractive attacks were even better. The sneaky Badger was Hutchins.
She skates exceptionally well; she's on you before you realize it. The line
of Cole, Bauer and Macy does some wonderful combos. They feed well off each
other. The woman of the match was Bauer. She works so well for her mates.
She does all the little things well and adds to that her own elegant
touches. Bauer is an intelligent player who sees the ice and produces
extraordinary plays. With yet additional team speed and their heads up,
this Badger side could become special.
Match reports 2003-2004
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004
Subject: New Hampshire Women 0 - Providence 3
The Providence College Friars won Sunday's Hockey East Championship final
when they scored three goals in the last half of the third period to beat
the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. It was a fairly good playoff
game, with both sides creating high-quality chances. In the end, PC was
able to shut down UNH's quick transition game, while fabricating their own
lethal assaults.
First off, two thumbs down, once again, to Hockey Least for continuing the
ugly Matthews Arena practice: the trivializing of sport with loud pop music
at every stoppage of play was unfortunately in fashion at Northeastern.
As play began, New Hampshire was moving well, but their finishing reeked.
The Friars counterattacked and put on a spell of strong pressure. Fresher
Nicole Hekle was hitting the jets for UNH, but she turned away from the play
too much to be an effective fore-checker. Meanwhile, PC's junior forward
Ashley Payton was gunning it. Nevertheless, there was no scoring.
In the scoreless second, senior Friar Darlene Stephenson was on fire. She
helped engineer a number of nice breaks that remained a pass away from being
successful. UNH were skating better as a team, but they were somewhat light
on their sticks.
Things degenerated in the final phase, as both teams got tense. There was
little ventured. Finally, with less than half a period to play, PC's Kelli
Halcisak broke the drought and knocked home a rebound for the championship
winning goal. Halcisak had produced the magic shift at the New Hampshire
blue line, dished off to Stephenson, who nailed her try, before Halcisak
applied the final touch. The Wildcats poured it on, but with about a minute
left sophy Karen Thatcher seized the moment. She torqued it on her pursuit,
collected the puck, went in on net and banged home the killer tally for a
two goal Providence lead. Rush Zimmerman added an empty net score to
complete the contest.
Providence closed off UNH's passing lanes that normally allow the Wildcats
to fly in on net. Without that fast break element, the sides were evenly
matched. PC had a more dangerous look to them today as they took the puck
to the goal. They also seemed to grow more confident as the game
progressed. Junior Hilary Greaves played some great defense today from her
forward position. Payton was a major reason PC repeated. Her skating and
will to go forward were huge. Stephenson was a force. She was all over the
ice. Halcisak devised wonderful combinations. Emily Gryp and Thatcher had
impressive weekends. Gryp's defensive presence kept the Wildcats at bay.
Thatcher was terrific. Her motoring was full throttle. It is a testament
to the players that they were able to pull their season together and repeat
as Hockey East champions.
New Hampshire played well and given a bounce here or there, could have added
another honour to their league title. The Wildcats appeared to be faster
than PC, but somehow that did not translate into the quickness they often
display. They needed to adjust to the countermeasures the Friars used, but
did not. Senior attacker Debbie Bernhard was tough. She went for it and
led her line forward. First-year Sadie Wright-Ward played an intelligent
match. She laid on nice passes and was ever aware of what needed to get
done. Hekle's skating was fab. She could have pushed it more during
dangerous situations. This kid has enormous potential. UNH had a fine
season and are developing into a powerful side.
***
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004
Subject: Northeastern Women 2 - Connecticut 4
At Matthews Arena the Northeastern Huskies lost, 2-4, to the Huskies of the
University of Connecticut. It was a tense match, in which UConn did the
deal on NU, closing down their normal routines, while scoring the timely
goals.
For most of the contest, the play consisted of the Connecticut fore-check
system versus the Northeastern box. The UC Huskies got on the board early
when Erika Spaeth drilled her try from the high right slot. UConn was
pushing it and with players like fresher defender Natalie Vibert, who is a
speed merchant, they looked like they were taking control of the game.
Tiffany Owens roofed a power play goal in the last five minutes to make it
0-2 Connecticut. That play was made by the lovely, crisp setup feed right
in front of net by sophy blue liner Jennifer Houlden. NU tried to get into
the match, but UC first-year Alicia Ramolla was providing exceptional cover
at the back.
There was no scoring in the second period. UConn floored it for a while,
but was unable to produce the killer third score. NU Husky defender Rachel
Bertram had her work cut out for, but provided well-timed preventive
measures. Meanwhile, NU first-year forward Susannah Brokl, who has been
coming on recently, displayed some fine speed and good reads.
The conclusion of Saturday's matinee found UConn in search of the net,
sometimes a wide-open one at that. Northeastern got back in the game when
Marie Desrosiers collected a shorthanded tally, halfway through the
interval. That was a gift goal from UConn, as a defender had managed to
take out her own goaltender. Seconds later, Connecticut re-established
their 2 goal advantage when Jacquleyn McGuire banged home the third rebound
on a power play to make it 1-3. The NU Husky defense was MIA. It looked as
though the contest was done like dinner, until NU's Brokl took a feed, broke
wide on the UConn blue liners and threw her shot in at the low far post.
The suspense was terrible. I hoped it would last. However, Owens ended all
that, when she banked in a Connecticut power play, empty-net attempt to make
the final 2-4.
Connecticut played well. They had decent team speed. They had a great game
plan for shutting off NU's natural sets. It was totally effective. UC were
a tad vapid when it came to finishing. They also panicked somewhat when
they started to sit on their lead during the closing stages. Senior Sarah
Mahoney was moving awfully well today. Spaeth played big. She can be even
more of a force. Her presence gives her side grumba. Houlden's superior
support on defense was matched by her luscious passing. Ramolla remains
cool under pressure, no matter what happens on her blue line. The woman of
the match was Vibert. Her anticipation and redirects are lovely. In the
second, she made a tremendous solo rush, when she hit warp drive, then did a
back cut in front of the NU defenders and just slipped her shot wide as she
fired back across the grain. Ooo-la-la!!! Vibert is an exceptional blue
liner. UConn fashioned a big win.
***
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004
Subject: Northeastern Women 4 - Maine 3
Friday night at Matthews, the Northeastern Huskies defeated the Maine Black
Bears 4-3. It was a great game that featured multiple lead changes, lots of
skating and action at both ends of the ice. In the end, NU put together
their best performance of the season to nip Maine at the wire.
The game started with both teams going for it. Northeastern claimed the
early advantage when first-year Mia Mucci finished off a nice setup at the
far post. The play was made by the perfect pass from sophy defender Rebecca
Peters. Peters made a series of timely plays throughout the match. For a
while, it looked as though Maine would have a time of it beating senior
netminder Chanda Gunn, who appeared to have the puck's transponder code! In
addition, Crystal Rochon's jets gave NU a lot of zip. Eventually, junior
Black Bear Tristan Desmet slipped one under Gunn off a slick play on a 4 on
4 situation, to tie the score at one.
In the second segment, both sides were still going strong and creating
numerous chances. Northeastern regained their lead when fabulous fresher
Amy Goodney completed a power play goal when she threw her shot to the high
far post. Goodney was playing great on attack as well as providing
excellent cover at the back. The Huskies had a stretch when they could have
taken command of the contest, but they wasted several opportunities. Maine
came back when Meagan Aarts, who had been motoring most of the evening,
nailed a power play try from the far boards to the high near post. Lovely
goal! A short time later, first-year Ksena Tatomir gave the bluish-black
Bears a 2-3 lead when she rang her shot in off the far post, during a 3 on 2
break-in.
The finale found the Huskies stepping it up and Maine in a prevent defense.
About halfway into the period, Goodney did it again for NU, when she drilled
home a loose puck at the side of the net. Minutes later, sophomore Lindsay
Snider won it for Northeastern when her attempt from the left slot found
net. Maine was in disarray. Fortunately for them, NU then crept into
prevent mode and the Black Bears mounted a serious comeback. Eventually,
with the Maine net empty, Goodney won a face-off in her own end, took the
puck to the corner and killed the clock. The polished fresher was
outstanding.
Maine had a strong outing. They hustle well as a team. They use a very
ineffectual hard, chop pass that would require a lax stick to catch. The
Black Bears execute together and know their assignments. They appear to
have lots of rules, which don't exactly add up to a total concept. Aarts
played super. She was all over the ice and was ever deceptive. Junior
Laura Maddin stood out on the blue line. Her quick solutions, fluid skating
and lovely sets were a treat. Vicky Johnstone was a force on the defense.
She logged a ton of ice time with her speedy play and intelligent reactions.
Maine needs to find enjoyment in their game.
***
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2004
Subject: UMass Boston Women 3 - Rensselaer 1
Under the roasty, toasty French fry warmers at the Clark, the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons pulled off a huge 3-1 upset over the Rensselaer
Engineers. RPI had more talent, superior team speed, but failed to claim
the timely tallies. UMB waited, absorbed much of the Engineers' energy and
then stuck with thundering resound.
Saturday afternoon's contest began with Rensselaer off to the races. They
were flying. Jazzy junior Meredith Langille was looking great with her
movement off the puck. Sophy Julie Welte's intercepts and passing were
splendid. And yet, there was no scoring. UMass hung in there and started
to create some ominous chances of their own. In particular, fresher Andrea
Ciarletta was powering forward with swagger.
In the second, the momentum shifted to Mass Boston. It might be that
Rensselaer knew their number was up, when Bobby, the belligerent UMass
Boston Beacon mascot came sauntering in. First-year Melissa Belmonte took
the lead for the Beacons with a wraparound. UMB was in control of the play,
though their passing often left a lot to be desired. Annie Larson did so
much scut work for her UMass mates. The main problem for RPI was that they
were waiting and not going for it. Clearly, UMB had the Engineers at sixes
and sevens.
The denouement featured two quick goals from UMB. Kristin Wilson collected
a power play goal with assists from Kerri Zizzo and Molly Norton. Then
Belmonte notched the killer third score when she finished off an end-to-end
break. The play was made by Ciarletta, who did all the skating before
laying the late feed parfait. RPI mounted a big comeback attempt and scored
a pretty 4 on 3 power play goal when Christina Jankowski connected with Kari
Rabatin. However, the Engineers' skating was gone and UMass was all a buzz.
Rensselaer are skilled and fast. They did not play with the joy they did
last season. They did not play well as a team. There were some brilliant
individual efforts. Sophy Rosina Schiff is an excellent goalie. She is
technically sharp and has a quick glove. Allison Malcolm's anticipation and
spin moves on the blue line were delicious. The line of Jankowski, Bridget
Rice and Paula Durham played well together. They were a fine example of
what team play is all about. Langille knows how to motor and is a very
responsible player. The RPI woman of the match was Welte. It is amazing
she did not score. With her vision, nice hands, powerful shot and drive,
Welte was ever a threat. This must have been an atypical performance.
UMass Boston play with moxie. Their style is a nice mix of team defensive
coverage and kill instinct counters. The result is that they soak up the
other team's pressure and wait their turn. When UMB attacks, they strike
with conviction and can produce some dazzling plays. Amanda Boucher faced
the shooter well and had a strong game in net. She was helped by the super
cover provided by junior Jenn Murray. Murray has to be the strongest player
on the ice for the Beacons. Another defensive supporter was forward Larson.
She is an outstanding digger, even with the exposed wrist look. Though,
like a number of other UMass players, she could learn to cut the rubbish.
It's stupid and the ensuing penalty just hurts her team. The woman of the
match was Ciarletta. She is inevitably ahead of the action. Ciarletta's
sense of the moment lets her hold onto the puck and then release her mates
with exquisite passes. Today's victory was all about using the players you
have to their fullest - a terrific coaching win.
***
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2004
Subject: Northeastern Women 1 - Connecticut 1 OT
With the Ground Hog vacillating in the wings, Saturday evening's Husky match
between Northeastern and the University of Connecticut was an end-to-end
affair that ended as a one all draw. UConn had their chances to put this
game away, but didn't. NU used their total hustle system to gain a point.
The Matthews Arena event began with both sides periodically producing
pressure, though no goals. UConn were without senior power defender Ste