Elis look to improve on last year's campaign

JULIA TIERNAN/YH The Bulldogs hope freshmen like Jane Resor, SY '02, can help them better last year's mark.

A winless Ivy season is painful to recall. Coming off such a season, the women's ice hockey team is ready for and optimistic about a turnaround. One thing is certain: the only way to go is up. Many observers saw last year's overall record of 7-19-2 (0-10-0 Ivy) as a total failure, but the Bulldogs themselves disagree. After several seasons during which the team struggled to gain wins as well as respect, the Elis turned over a new leaf by hiring head coach John Marchetti before last season. "Last year was a big improvement for us," defenseman and forward Ashley Campion, BK '01, said. "We're no longer the underdogs."

Defense was one of the main weaknesses for last year's Elis, and with the departure of star goaltender Laurie Belliveau, TD '98, the team must look to its younger players for improvement. Sarah MacGregor, JE '02, and Katie Hirte, SM '02, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Belliveau. The Bulldogs know they need to keep the defense tight, and keep the puck away from their net. "We really have to pick up all over and help out our goalies by limiting the shots on goal," center Lisa Meyers, SY '01, explained.

Although the team recognizes the need for overall improvement, the Bulldogs also think that their offense looks particularly solid. "We're strong on offense," defense-man Sue Vanderhill, CC '01, said. "We have strong freshmen with lots of potential for goal scoring."

The arrival of seven freshmen and the return of a majority of the team's sophomores are key factors in the squad's optimistic outlook. "Everyone is excited," right wing Catherine McAdams, SM '01, said. "We're a young team, with only one senior. That forces us to be more cohesive."

"It makes a big difference that there are so many sophomores on our team," Campion added. "We've had a year behind us and we know what to expect and we know we have to play hard."

The squad's improvements have already be yielded good results. The Bulldogs opened up the exhibition season on Sat., Nov. 7 and Sun., Nov. 8 with games against Assabet, a club team, and McGill University. Although they lost to Assabet 2-1, the team looked quite a bit more impressive in its 3-3 tie with McGill on the following day.

"The first game we seemed nervous and unsure," Vanderhill, who did not play due to injury, explained. "But, by the second game this weekend we really came together. There was such a vast improvement in overall team play."

Because of a shortage of players this season, the team had not been able to play together before the Assabet game. "We're really low in numbers right now, especially because of injuries and because people are playing other sports," defenseman Jane Resor, SY '01, explained. With its current roster, the team is only able to maintain two full lines, whereas the majority of other teams are playing with three or four.

The shortage means that players are on the ice for excessive amounts of time. "We did a good job of coming together this weekend, considering our disadvantage," Meyers said. "We really need more players back. It's extremely rough on your body to be playing so much, especially with back to back games." The player crisis, however, should soon be relieved with the recovery of Campion and Vanderhill, both of whom are out with injuries, as well as the return of the many players who haven't been able to play due to their involvement in other fall sports.

In spite of the many challenges the Elis face this season, the team's hard work and dedication are receiving quite a bit of attention. "Everyone is really positive," Vanderhill said. "We placed third to last in the coaches' poll this year, which shows we're improving. Everyone was very happy about it and we intend to get even better." Although the team is extremely positive, the players are also realistic about their goals for the season. "We know we have to work hard and we know no one is going to give us a win," Campion added.

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