This weekend kicks off action in women’s D-III. Writer Candace Horgan picks the winners of some of the interesting games.
Friday, Nov. 1
No. 2 Hamline at No. 3 Adrian
This is THE marquee matchup for women’s D-III this weekend. Hamline lost to Plattsburgh in the national championship game last year and returns forward Bre Simon, who averaged over two points a game last season and won the Laura Hurd Award as the top player in D-III. Also back are goalies McKenna Hulslander and Jaela O’Brien, who platooned for much of last season. Adrian’s top scorer from last season, Tory Harshman, graduated, as did Kortney Diaz, but much of the team is back, including goalie Denisa Jandová, who posted a .952 save percentage last season. This one might even go to OT, but I like the visitors to squeak by. Hamline 3-2
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 1-2
No. 7 Wisconsin-Eau Claire at St. Norbert
The women’s St. Norbert team doesn’t quite have the same tradition of excellence as the men, but they are improving. However, it won’t be enough to overcome a Wisconsin-Eau Claire squad that returns top scorer Elizabeth Bauer. Wisconsin-Eau Claire 4-2, 3-2
Suffolk at Nazareth
These are two solid teams that both posted winning records last season in their first year of NCAA play. Tess Adams graduated from preseason NEHC second-place pick Suffolk, but most of the team’s top players are back and are now sophomores, including Shana Cote and Jesse Kennedy. Suffolk will also need solid play from goalie Kristen Caporusso. Nazareth will look to Hailey Redders and Emily Kromer to pace the scoring. I think this will be a split. Nazareth 3-2, Suffolk 3-1
Saturday. Nov. 2
Potsdam at Cortland
These two teams battled for second in the NEWHL last season behind perennial power Plattsburgh. Both teams have a lot of returning players, but Cortland seems a little deeper. Potsdam already has a game played, but I like the home team to win. Cortland 3-2
Tuesday, Nov. 5
William Smith at Morrisville
Both of these teams finished second in their conference last year. Morrisville already lost its first game of the season and will need solid play in net from Adrianna Harman to withstand the offense of players like Gina Scibetta and Jules Kennedy. I like the road team in this one. William Smith 4-2
