Regional Loss Stings, but Union Hopes to Keep Growing
The following article appeared March 25 on the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Web site.
By USCHO Arena Reporter
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Union coach Nate Leaman faced an uphill battle in attracting talented hockey players for the Dutchmen after finishing last in the ECAC during the 2006-07 regular season. All that the little-known hockey program from Schenectady, N.Y., had to show for its jump to Division I in the 1991–92 season was a pair of ECAC quarterfinal losses and several quick first-round exits.
“Five years removed, [the Dutchmen] finished last in the league, so definitely [the program has] grown in the past four years,” senior captain Brock Matheson said. “I’m very optimistic in the direction this program is heading. I’ve said a number of times, I think we have the best coaching staff in the nation.”
Thanks in large part to Leaman’s extraordinary recruiting efforts, Union overhauled its lackluster program and — just five years later — earned one of 11 at-large bids to the 2011 NCAA Division I tournament. Along the way, Union set a school record of 26 wins, captured its first Cleary Cup with a regular season ECAC record of 17–3–2, and achieved a national ranking as high as No. 4 during the regular season.
Complete article can be accessed via the USCHO Web site by
clicking here.
