W. hockey rides youth movement

By Keely Robinson

A frustrating draw and a tight win started the official season for Yale women's hockey in Detroit, Mich. The Elis tied Wayne State University 4-4 on Sat., Nov. 3 and won 4-3 on Sun., Nov. 4 during a slow weekend. Wallis Finger, ES '04, scored the first goal of the official season, followed by two goals by forward Sara Wood, SM '02. Nicole Symington, SM '05, scored the goal that won the first game of the season. According to Captain Katie Hirte, SM '02, the season is "looking bright so far."

The Saturday game began with Finger and Symington scoring two goals within the first three minutes. After this promising start, the players thought they had secured the win. Yet the Warriors took advantage of this overconfidence and scored four goals before the end of the second period. Erika Hockinson, TC '04, and Karin Tilly, TC '03, each scored to tie the game at 4-4. Needless to say, the Elis were not happy with this outcome.

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY The bulldogs hope to carry their momentum into this weekend's matchups.

After the frustrating tie on Saturday, the team came back with a vengeance on Sunday. During the first period, Wood scored to give the Bulldogs the lead. Yet shortly afterward in the second period, the Warriors scored twice, turning up the pressure on the Bulldogs for the final period. Determined not to follow up a tied game with a loss, Tilly scored to tie the game 2-2. But then the Warriors rebounded and scored again. With five minutes left, Symington passed down the ice to Wood, who scored again, tying the game at 3-3. Finally, Symington received an assist from Deanna McDevitt, JE '03, to score the winning goal.

Goalie Nicollette Franck, SM '04, made 29 saves for the Bulldogs. Wood displayed outstanding skills as one of only two seniors on a team composed predominantly of freshmen and sophomores.

Hirte identified the key players on the squad this year as forwards Wood, Symington, and McDevitt. Kaitlin Porarco, SY '03, and Amy Leclair, MC '03, are expected to contribute to the team with aggressive defense.

MELISSA GARREN/YH The Bulldogs had a sucessful trip to Detroit, scoring a tie and win against Wayne state.

In the offseason, the Bulldogs not only practiced on the ice, but also dedicated much of their time to strength training. Having such a young squad may pay off for the team down the road as a strong crop of freshman and sophomore talent promises to add depth to the lineup. As the season drags on, a combination of depth and sta-mina should contribute to maintaining a well-rested and quick team.

The Bulldogs next take the ice against Union College on Sat., Nov. 10, and then return the following day to battle traditional power Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. Looking ahead, Hirte hopes for additional progress. "We played well enough to tie and win last weekend, but we're definitely looking to play better as we move into league play," she said.

After season in which they struggled to a 3-23-2 record and finished 12th in their conference, the Bulldogs lost Lisa Meyers, SM '01, the third-leading scorer in Yale history, to graduation. Though the team boasts only two seniors and relies on their youth for almost all of their offensive output, confidence remains high among the Bulldogs. Indeed, the first few days of this season have hinted at far better things for the 2001-02 Elis. Yale left Detroit undefeated, and as they begin their home schedule this weekend, they hope to translate their out-of-state success to the more friendly confines of Ingalls Rink.

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