2001-02 Preview: St. Cloud State Huskies
Coming off a season that saw it finish above .500 for the first time in school history with a 17-16-2 record, expectations are again high for the St. Cloud State women's hockey team.
Head Coach Kerry Brodt-Wethington returns 14 letterwinners from last year's squad that took fourth place in the always-rugged WCHA with a 12-10-2 mark.
"One of our strengths this season is our experience," Wethington said.
"The juniors on the team are from our first recruiting class at SCSU. We finally have a solid core of upperclass players, which is something we have not had before. They will help on and off the ice with their leadership and experience. In a league like the WCHA, the leadership provided by your upperclass players is very important."
The Huskies return two All-WCHA selections from last year's team. Kobi Kawamoto, a sophomore defender, and senior forward Fiona McLeod were named to the All-WCHA Second Team. McLeod was second on the team in scoring with 12 goals, 35 assists and 47 points. Kawamoto scored 17 goals and 22 assists (39 points) from her defender position.
"It's nice that we have the type of players, such as McLeod and Kawamoto, that can play any position on the ice," Wethington said.
The Huskies are stacked at the defender position. Besides Kawamoto, senior captain Tara McNamara and senior assistant captain Katy Battis, junior Amanda Mathison (7-3=10) and sophomore Leanne Perrin (2-10=12) all return after seeing significant action last year. McNamara is the only player left from the inaugural '98-99 season and has played in over 90 consecutive games at SCSU- every game in the history of the program.
"We want to think defense first and then offense," Wethington said. "We want to be a focused team, which can score when we get the opportunity. That starts with defense."
Between the pipes, the Huskies also have experience returning in three-year starter and junior Laura Gieselman. She posted a 15-15-2 record, a 3.88 gaa and an .890 saves percentage while averaging nearly 43 saves per game. With an improved defense, Gieselman should see fewer shots. SCSU also returns Ellen Brinkman (2-1-0, 2.62).
Offensively, the Huskies return several key players, but lost Ricki-Lee Doyle, who transferred to St. Lawrence and led the Huskies in scoring with 62 points (26g,36a).
However, the Huskies welcome back sophomore Roxy Stang, who scored 39 points (26g,13a) and recorded three hat tricks, including four goals in a win over Minnesota-Duluth. Stang is now tied with Doyle for the single-season goal-scoring record at SCSU with 26.
The Huskies also bring back juniors Erin McNamara (3-6=9), Abby Cooper (10-15=25) and Jennifer Swanson (3-7=10), and sophomores Alison Ribar and Gabrielle Adams. Adams moves to forward after playing defender last season.
"We will definitely need a few of our players this season to step up,"
Wethington added. "I really believe some of our players such as Erin McNamara, Alison Ribar and Jenny Swanson can be impact-type of players."
SCSU could also see contributions from four key newcomers. Senior Andrea Keller, a transfer from Maine, had 17 goals and 28 assists in her last two years there. First-year defender Dana Pretty could also contribute immediately. Also included in the mix will be first-year defender Tina Ciraulo and forward Melanie Pudsey.
"We have a strong class of newcomers," Wethington said. "They have the ability to make an immediate impact in our program."
The Huskies hope to make a run at their first WCHA title, but Wethington thinks the traditional powers will still be near the top.
"The gap continues to close between the top and bottom teams and there is more parity now in our league," Wethington said. "There could also be a lot of surprises since many of the top players will be participating in the Olympics this winter and many of the teams will definitely have a different look."
by Chris Forman SCSU Athletic Media Relations
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