Women’s D-III Picks Nov. 15-19

ECAC DIV III EAST

Holy Cross at Norwich
Senior forward Tori Charron, who led the nation with 30 goals last season, is off to a lightning start for the Cadets with six goals, including a pair against her former school, Elmira, in the East-West Showcase. The Cadets have benefited from solid, early play from freshman goalie Taylor Fairchild. The Crusaders have displayed outstanding defense thus far. In addition, the special teams have thrived, as evidenced by a 91.7 percent penalty kill and 36.4 percent power play. Difficult call; Cadets like their home barn though. Norwich 3-2

Nichols at St. Anselm
First-year bench boss Wil Brown’s club will be in for all that it can handle against the Hawks, whose lone hiccup thus far was watching a three-goal lead disappear in a 5-4 loss to Neumann last week. The Nichols contingent is aware that the home club will be taking on Manhattanville the following afternoon. Focus wins it for the Hawks. St. Anselm 5-2

Manhattanville at Massachusetts-Boston
The Beacons have been successful on just one of 13 power-play opportunities. Their lack of scoring thus far is palatable. The Valiats, coming off a hard-nosed East-West Showcase, are poised to match their results to their lofty ranking in the USCHO poll. Manhattanville 6-1

ECAC DIV III WEST

Elmira at Potsdam
Elmira’s Ashley Ryan, Tanis Lamoureux and Erin Weston have produced in a big way for the Soaring Eagles up front. Potsdam barely squeezed out a season opening 4-3 win in a nonconference battle with St. Michaels, but the defense has shown hints of improvement since. Elmira 5-1

WIAC

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16

Wisconsin-River Falls at Wisconsin-Stevens Point
There’s a lot to consider when previewing what could be the most interesting matchup of the week. Katie Batters and Brook Story have combined for five goals on 11 shots for a Wis.-River Falls squad that features offensive depth. The Pointers, by contrast, are unlikely to keep up with the Falcons in the offensive zone, but will rely on junior goalie Janna Beilke-Skoug to anchor defensively. Beilke-Skoug had a season-high 38-save performance against the Falcons in a 5-4 loss last December. Wisconsin-River Falls 3-2, 4-3

MIAC

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16

Gustavus Adolphus at Concordia (Minn.)
This two-game set is an opportune time for first year coach Sarah Erickson to move the Cobbers in the right direction in the MIAC, particularly against the Gusties, who are seeking their 10th straight league title under Mike Carroll. Gustavus Adolphus has outshot its opponents by an average of 10 shots per contest. Concordia’s offense has yet to unwind, as the Cobbers have a lone goal in their first three starts. Gustavus Adolphus 4-0, 5-3

NCHA

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16

St. Scholastica at St. Norbert
The teams split their regular season set last year, but the Green Knights copped a 2-1 victory in the NCHA tournament. The talented Waidacher sisters have accounted for nearly 70 percent of the Saints goals through the early going. St. Norbert’s front line has been productive, led by freshman Rachel Koppang and junior Ali Parker. St. Norbert 5-4, 6-3