Women's hockey rookies bring hope to season

Since the beginning, the odds have been stacked against the daughters of Eli. Every opponent seems to boast either Olympic-caliber players or players only one tier below. The Yale women's ice hockey team has repeatedly faced bigger, stronger, and tougher opponents who have beaten the Bulldogs into submission more times then they would care to remember.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Despite a frustrating season, the Bulldogs note the development of a solid freshman class as a major accomplishment of the 2000-01 season.

Women's ice hockey is an emerging sport," Head Coach John Marchetti explained. "Every year, our league expands, adding more depth and competition to an already intense level of play." The Bulldogs will continue to face tough odds as entire top-notch rosters fill the ranks of talented graduating seniors. However, while the league continues to grow exponentially, the Elis are keeping pace, striving to attract a large recruiting classes.

This year was no exception, as a squad of eight talented freshmen skaters took to the ice for their first foray into Division I athletics. "The freshman squad this year has filled the shoes of the graduated seniors nicely," Marchetti said. This is no surprise, as all of the players bring extensive experience, having competed on club teams and participated in national camps. "The national camps I attended were recruiting tools," Wallis Finger, ES '04, explained. "They gave me the opportunity to make myself visible to coaches and play against better players." Nonetheless, club teams and national camps are a far cry from collegiate athletics. The women had to adapt to a faster pace, become accustomed to competing against bigger and stronger opponents, and endure longer practices."The longer hours and increased competition definitely take their toll on your body, but it's a good feeling," Finger explained. As Marchetti said, "Our freshman class is a vital part of the team. They came with impressive credentials and have the potential to become solid Division I players, but there is still that transition to be made."

The adjustment is made smoother with the presence of the upperclassmen on the team. On and off the rink, freshmen players have sought the advice only season veterans can provide. "I know that a lot of [freshmen] have come to me for advice on balancing athletics and academics," Ashley Campion, BK '01, explained. On the ice, Marchetti usually pairs the freshmen with senior players during practice drills and workouts. Campion adds,"They are doing more things without thinking too much now, and they no longer stand out as freshmen." The rookies find more confidence every time they step onto the ice, and each game provides them with the opportunity to earn the experience that cannot be found in offensive and defen-sive drills.

With just eight games remaining in the season, the Bulldogs can only look to overcome the obstacles that have plagued them all year. The freshman crew, although an integral part of the team, is still only part of a much larger team. "Our biggest obstacles are always ourselves. It's always easy to think too much, and that leads to poor play," Campion said. All season the Bulldogs have been unable to find the back of the net and maintain strong, consistent play for 60 minutes. Whether the cause is a lack of focus or weary bodies, the entire squad loses chances when facing off for 50/50 pucks and often fails to come away with the puck out of the corners.

To fans, the rest of the season seems to promise more disappointment. To the daughters of Eli, however, the remaining time is a chance to prove that in the emerging sport of women's hockey, they do belong among the best. "Our record says nothing of how talented we are. We are always trying to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we can compete with the best in the league," Campion said. Still, what the Bulldogs don't accomplish this year can be held off for the future, when the squad will be fortified by another crop of new freshmen.

Back to Sports...