Huskies Adds Depth To Roster
Evolution...growth...change...excitement.
Those are just a few words to describe the status of women's hockey at St. Cloud State University in 2000-2001. In two short seasons, the Huskies have evolved from what was essentially a club level team to a competitive force at the NCAA Division 1 level in the WCHA - one of the nation's premiere women's hockey leagues.
"We have enjoyed steady growth in our program since our inaugural season in 1998-99," said Kerry Brodt Wethington, who starts her third season at SCSU in 2000-2001. "We are finally starting to gain veteran experience and our recruiting classes have become stronger each season.
"By design, we have gradually started to fill out our roster with scholarship players and the talent level of our team has risen accordingly."
The biggest change for the Huskies, who completed the 1999-2000 season at 13-19-3 overall and 6-15-3 in the rugged WCHA, might be the depth of their roster.
Junior Tara McNamara on defense is one of two SCSU players left from the 1998-99 squad and she will serve as the team captain in 2000-01.
"Tara has seen a lot of change on this team from her first day of practice two seasons ago," said Wethington. "She will be a valuable asset to our club since she has been part of our team's development. Tara leads by example and the other players respect her."
McNamara will be joined on defense by junior and asst. captain Katy Battis (1-4=5), who transfered from Mankato in 1999-00. Junior Fiona McLeod (transfer from UW-Superior in '99-00) will also make the switch to defense after leading the team in scoring last year at forward with 18 goals, 12 assists and 30 points.
Recruits Kobi Kawamoto, Leanne Perrin, and Gabrielle `Brie' Adams bring impressive playing resumes to SCSU and will add punch to the Huskies' defensive line.
In the nets, sophomore Laura Gieselman is back after posting a 4.19 goals-against average with an impressive .884 save percentage. Gieselman faced a nation-leading 989 shots and chalked up 874 saves, two shutouts and a 9-16-3 record. She also gained WCHA Player of the Week honors on March 1, 2000.
"Laura strives for excellence both on and off the ice," Wethington said. "She continues to improve and is one of our most dedicated athletes. One of her goals is to gain a tryout for the Olympic team."
Up front, the Huskies will see the most changes as McLeod moves to defense and new faces move in. Newcomers Roxanne `Roxy' Stang and Ricki-Lee Doyle are definitely names to watch this winter.
The word depth can also be used to describe the Huskies' forwards. A total of eight forwards return and that group represents seven of the team's top eight scorers from 1999-2000, including sophomore Jenny Swanson (11-18=29) and Amanda Presenger (8-10=18).
"We definitely have more depth on our roster this winter," said Wethington. "Our depth on both defense and offense will allow us to be more flexible with our lines. In addition, the level of play and competition for positions will also elevate our level of play."
As the team matures, Wethington sees other benefits. "Our team leadership is really starting to develop. We now have players who have been in our system for more than one season and those players are starting to take on the role of upperclass leaders. The experience they have will certainly help our newcomers prepare for the rigors and challenge of college play."
SCSU will certainly need the added power in its lineup as the Huskies face their toughest schedule in the history of the program. National champion Minnesota and WCHA champ Minnesota-Duluth appear to be two of the conference front runners, while Wisconsin, Ohio State, Bemidji State and MSU, Mankato have all improved. SCSU's non-conference foes include a trip to Wayne State plus home dates against Sacred Heart, Princeton, Niagara and Cornell.
"All of the teams in the WCHA are still developing," Wethington said. "Everyone is becoming more competitive and the gap between the top teams in the league and the bottom teams is certainly starting to close."
By Tom Nelson, SCSU SID
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