2001-02 Team Preview: MSU-Mankato Mavericks
With a combination of something old and something new, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women's hockey team will go through a transitional year for the 2001-02 campaign.
The new aspect of the team began at the top when MSU hired Jeff Vizenor in May, 2001 to become only the second women's hockey coach in Minnesota State history. Vizenor, an assistant at the Univ. of Wisconsin, helped lead the Badgers to a 21-9-5 season, good for a third-place finish in the WCHA.
The Mavericks will make All Seasons Arena, not only a practice facility, but also the official home of the women's hockey team, hosting all but one series at the close-to-campus arena. Making the transition hopes to bring a certain excitement and a chance for a new tradition.
"They (the players) were very excited to be back here," Vizenor said. "There's a couple reasons: number one it's a more intimate atmosphere. The fans are more on top of you, it's closer to campus so we might get a better walk up, and I think playing at a different time will help, this is home. This is where we play and this is where we practice."
The old aspect is the return of 17 players to the team. MSU looks to close the chapter on last year's 2-31-2 mark and turns to the leadership of the returning members to reenergize the program.
Goaltending proved to be a strong position last season as two members, sophomore Shari Vogt and junior Katie Beauduy combined for 1,198 saves and an 89 save percentage. Vogt, who was named the team's Most Valuable Player, started 22 games last season. She totalled 792 saves, a school record, including 59 vs Minnesota on Jan. 14, 2001. Beauduy, who will also see a fair amount, started in 13 games last year. She ranks second in career saves, posting 828 in 31 games and averaging over 26 saves each game.
"We're going to go with whatever goalie is playing best at that time," Vizenor said. "I think ideally you have two people that are pushing each other to get better and they are both developing. The key for any team is developing from the goalie out."
MSU will look to their 14 forwards for the offensive attack. Sophomore Sheri Maisonnueve aims to improve on her team-leading 14 points of '00-01, scoring five goals and nine assists in 32 games.
Junior Tristin Stephenson and sophomore Amanda Osborn round out last season's top three scorers. Stephenson, who tallied 10 points in 2000-01 and now has 42 career points, holds the MSU career record with nine power-play goals. Stephenson ranks fourth for career points along with senior forward Ashleigh Miller and just shy of senior forwards Ryann Geldner and Cara Samuelson, who total 49 and 48 points respectively. Osborn, voted one of the team's Most Improved Players, tallied nine points, including two PPGs in her first year.
Defensively, senior Jody Rankin led the defensemen in scoring for the second season in a row, posting five points last campaign. Joining her on the blueline will be junior Anne Rickbeil and sophomores Sandra Hood and Jenny Kern.
Rounding out the 2001-02 Minnesota State squad is a recruiting class of six freshmen and one junior. Nicole Magnuson, Lindsay McCulloch, Amber Hanson and Robyn Shaw will contribute on defense, while Elaine Topolnisky, Abby Jacobs and Kearstin Solberg look to add punch to the offense.
by Chad Waller, MSU SID
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