2001-02 Preview: Wisconsin Badgers
After impressive seasons in its first two years of competition, the Badger women's hockey program is poised for more.
Wisconsin ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation during 2000-01, earning victories over the eventual NCAA champions (UMD) and four of the five top-10 teams it faced. Armed with stellar goaltending, a deep defensive corps and some high-powered offense, the Badgers now look to take the next step.
Goaltenders
Junior Jackie MacMillan has demonstrated the ability to carry her entire team on her back the past two years and is ready for a repeat performance if need be. The First Team All-WCHA goaltender as a frosh, MacMillan dropped her goals against average by almost a half goal last season as a sophomore while posting an 18-8-5 season. Her 18 wins placed her in a tie for third in the country.
Behind the anchor of the program resides junior Jen Neary, who when called on during her two years has performed admirably. In 2000-01, she blanked two opponents and had a 3-1-0 mark in 10 appearances.
Athletic newcomer Jessica Bernal adds security to the position, having taken part in USA Hockey Development Camps in Lake Placid, N.Y., in the past.
Defense
Returning as the heart and soul of the defense are junior Second Team All-American Kerry Weiland, the national defense scoring leader, and WCHA All-Tournament selection junior Sis Paulsen, a past First Team All-WCHA performer. Paulsen, the team captain, and Weiland, the assistant captain, lead a skilled back line.
A pair of newcomers may make the Wisconsin blue-line the most feared in the country. Wisconsin-native Molly Engstrom, one of the top new defenders in the country, is a three time competitor at the USA Hockey Olympic Development Camp. The Badgers' first Canadian defender also joins the team in the form of Canadian Under-22 National Team member Carla MacLeod, who spent the last five years with the Oval X-Treme.
The pair will have to make up for the loss of powerful Nicole Uliasz, who was one of 25 selected to the 2001-02 USA Hockey Women's National Team. Uliasz will train and tour with the national team in the hopes of earning one of the 20 coveted spots for the Winter Olympic Games this coming February.
Also in the mix is returning sophomore Kathryn Greaves. The second-year defender showed the ability to consistently move the puck out of the defensive zone to get the Badger attack started.
Forwards
Center Meghan Hunter returns as the nation's leading scorer after sharing the country's scoring lead with 42 goals and 78 points as a frosh. One of 10 finalists for The Patty Kazmaier Award, Hunter was a Second-Team All-American and the WCHA Rookie of the Year. She is now a member of Canada's Under-22 National Team. Junior Kendra Antony made up the other half of a dynamic duo for the Badgers with 50 points and sits just five points shy of becoming the first Badger to reach 100 career points.
A group of three solid forwards led by sophomore Karen Rickard add balance to the UW scoring attack. Rickard ranked third on the team with 15 goals last season, as herself (27 points), junior Kelly Kegley (24) and sophomore Steph Millar (21) all finished within six point of one another.
New additions up front include two-sport star Amy Vermeulen, who scored the game-winning goal for Canada's Under-22 National Team in its first international victory in soccer, and Jackie Friesen, a 2001 Canada Under-22 National Team player. Vermeulen will begin her hockey season once the UW soccer season ends. Also joining the offense is Jocelyn Cookson, the game-winning goal scorer in the 2001 Minnesota State H.S. championship game for Bloomington Jefferson. Kathy Devereaux, who spent the last four seasons with the Oval X-Treme, rounds out the newcomers.
Grit is also part of the UW forwards with juniors Julia Ortenzio and Melanie Schmitt, and sophomore Steph Boeckmann returning.
by Paul Capobianco, UW SID
|
|
 |
