Weekend Preview: Teams Play Tune-ups
ALBANY, NY -- For the first time this season,
all 12 ECAC Hockey women's teams will take to the ice during the
same weekend. Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton and Yale skate
for the first time in the 2008-09 campaign this weekend.
At Clarkson, No. 6/6 Mercyhurst: After
playing against nationally-ranked teams in New England to start the
month of October, Clarkson opens the home portion of its schedule
this weekend hosting sixth-ranked Mercyhurst. Guided by
first-year co-head coaches Shannon and Matt Desrosiers, the Golden
Knights played three of the top teams in the country just about
even on their home ice, but have fallen just short in their bid for
victory.
Colgate at Wayne St.: Colgate treks to
Michigan to take on Wayne St. for a pair of games this
weekend. Leading the Raiders up front is senior forward Sam
Hunt with five goals and one assist for six points. Colgate
holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 9-8. The squads
have split each series since 2000. Colgate has won the first
game in six out of the last seven series, with Wayne State taking
the second game.
Quinnipiac at Northeastern/No. 7/7 Boston
College: New head coach Rick Seeley, who gained his
first win at the helm of the program last weekend, guides the
Bobcats into Boston to take on the Huskies and Eagles. The
Bobcats return 92% of their scoring from last season and will need
much of that firepower in facing the nation's top-ranked defense in
Northeastern and top ten opponent, Boston College.
Cornell at Vermont: Cornell makes a journey
to Vermont this weekend to take on the Catamounts for a two
games. After two convincing exhibition wins, the Big Red hope
to keep their scoring touch in their first official games of the
season. Cornell swept a two-game series last season at home
against Vermont in convincing fashion, 3-0 and 4-2.
At Princeton, No. 10/10 Connecticut: The
Tigers will host No. 10/10 Connecticut in a two-game series at
Baker Rink. Princeton won 14 games last season, the seventh
year in a row the Tigers have won 14 or more games. With 122
wins over that span, the Tigers have averaged better than 17 wins a
season since the 2001-02 season. The Tigers and Huskies met
twice last season, with both games ended in a tie.
Brown at St. Cloud St.: Brown opened its
season last weekend with a 4-1 exhibition victory over Bluewater
and will look to continue its success as it faces St. Cloud St.
this weekend. Nicole Stock will serve as captain, and Andrea
Hunter and Samantha Stortini are assistant captains for the
Bears.
Union at North Dakota: Union, led by senior
goaltender Lundy Day, venture to North Dakota for two games this
weekend. Day made a total of 106 saves last weekend,
including a career-high 62 Saturday. She is only five saves
shy from moving into second place on Union's all-time saves
list.
At Rensselaer, Niagara: After their early
defeat of Boston University (2-0) October 4th, the Engineers look
to make it two straight wins at home, as they face Niagara in a two
game set this weekend. Rensselaer is led by junior forward
Allysen Weidner, who has two goals and two assists thru the first
five games.
At No. 9/9 St. Lawrence, Robert Morris:
After four road contests, No. 9/9 St. Lawrence welcomes Robert
Morris for a pair of games for its home opening series.
Junior forward Tara Akstull has netted four of the Saints' 12 goals
on the young season and has an active four-game point streak.
At No. 5/5 Dartmouth/ No. 3/3 Harvard/Yale, McGill &
Yale & No. 4/4 New Hampshire: McGill crosses the
border this weekend to take on the trio of No. 5/5 Dartmouth, No.
3/3 Harvard and Yale. These weekend match-ups will be a dress
rehearsal of sorts for all three ECAC Hockey teams. The
Big Green and Crimson will begin their quest attempting to
return to the NCAA tournament. The seasoned Bulldogs with all
but two players from last season's squad look to find their stride
early, as they will be tested right out of the gate facing No. 4/4
ranked New Hampshire over the weekend as well.
