Season previews for teams
After a dreadful season with only one win to its name, Saint Mary’s Cardinals are imbued with a new sense of optimism. “It’s awesome,” said coach Bill Moore, who enters his third season at the helm. “We have fun going to practice every day. The kids are working their butts off. “It’s a totally different … Read more
With a new coach and a freshmen in goal, St. Thomas’ sure-bet status may have slipped south of the border. Recent history though, suggests the Tommies shouldn’t be overlooked as MIAC title contenders. Last season, St. Thomas’ campaign was one of peaks and valleys before the team caught fire in the MIAC playoffs where, upsets … Read more
With the loss of NCAA D-III Player of the Year David Martinson to graduation, there have been a couple of stages of grief in the Gusties’ camp. First, there was the tribute phase. “That’s a special, special player that comes around maybe once in a lifetime as a coach,” said Gusties coach Brett Petersen, entering … Read more
The Auggies are looking to build on a seven-year best 16 wins last season, which catapulted the squad into the MIAC’s high-rent district. With the team’s top two scorers Nick Guran (18 goals and 15 assists) and Joel Sauer (16 goals and 16 assists) returning, along with goalie Justin Lochner (2.32 goals-against average), there’s little … Read more
In two-time All American defenseman Chris Berenguer, the Pipers have one of the best players in D-III hockey. Statistics alone speak volumes about his hockey abilities. Berenguer led MIAC defensemen in scoring with six goals and 22 assists last season, which followed a sophomore season when he produced a team-leading 14 goals and 25 assists … Read more
After a precipitous drop from first to last place in 2009-10, the Yellowjackets have removed their stomachs from their mouths and have pushed the elevator button to go back up. The team is already on pace to erase last term’s dreadful run, starting this season at 3-1, including a split against NCHA-foe University of Wisconsin-River … Read more
Though picked for third, the Pointers’ early-season form suggests they are league-championship material. The team’s roiling 4-1 start (2-0 in NCHA play) has featured a balanced scoring attack, conscientious defensive play and stellar goaltending by sophomore Nick Graves. UW-Stevens Point’s start could make a mockery out of the preseason coaches poll, which had the Pointers … Read more
The Saints lost a combined 84 points offensively with the graduation of Jordan Chong (17 goals, 20 assists), Jordan Baird (8 goals, 16 assists) and Aaron Spotts (10 goals, 13 assists). Others are ready to fill the void, coach Mark Wick said. Forward Riley Riddell, one of the team’s two seniors, fits the profile of … Read more
The Blugolds’ journey this season will be as much inward as upward, as 10 freshmen join nine sophomores on the roster. “We’re heading in the right direction obviously,” said coach Matt Loen, whose team is off to a 2-1 start, with nonconference wins over Lawrence and Gustavus Aldophus. “It’s a matter of getting our youth … Read more
Despite four of five leading scorers returning and three veteran defensemen back, the No. 8 Falcons remain a work in progress, coach Steve Freeman said. The formula for success appears rooted in how a crop of underclassmen blend in with proven scorers like senior Josh Calleja (8 goals, 29 assists last season) and junior Justin … Read more
On the musical chart, the Blue Devils are somewhere between “Auld Lang Syne” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Sure, the team is lamenting the loss of its four leading scorers, most notably All-American and 2009-10 NCHA Player of the Year Joel Gaulrapp, who tied for the team scoring lead with 27 points on 12 … Read more
Such is the depth of the Green Knights that their coach regard their fourth line as a strength. “Our fourth line might be our most effective group on any given night,” said coach Tim Coghlin, whose lengthy roster gives him the option of sending out a large-sized or a skating squad, depending on the opponent. … Read more
Such is the depth of the Green Knights that their coach regard their fourth line as a strength. “Our fourth line might be our most effective group on any given night,” said coach Tim Coghlin, whose lengthy roster gives him the option of sending out a large-sized or a skating squad, depending on the opponent. … Read more
After losing almost 90 percent of its scoring to graduation, Framingham State will be looking to tighten up the defensive game this year. “We will try to play a more aggressive style on the offensive end, but our key focus will be our end,” coach T.J. Brown said. “We gave up way too many goals … Read more
Thirteen new players, including four new goalies, have Worcester State coach John Guiney hopeful for a turnaround season. “Overall, we should be stronger up front with more offensive skill,” he said. “On defense, we will be more experienced.” After allowing just over five goals per game last season, the Lancers have brought in four freshman … Read more
It’s been a while. That’s the best way of summing up last year for Mass.-Dartmouth, as the Corsairs posted their first losing record since 1976-77, finishing with an overall record of 11-15-1. Despite that, they were still able to win a playoff game, knocking off fourth-seed Westfield State in opening round playoff action before narrowly … Read more
After a 20-year hiatus, Westfield State will look to continue its success entering its third year since returning as a varsity program. The Owls have posted a 24-19-7 record the last two seasons and are poised to continue their success this season. “First and foremost, Jerry Keefe did a great job the first year back,” … Read more
It’s not often a new coach takes over with a team locked and loaded and ready to go, but that’s the situation first year head coach Craig Russell finds himself in at Plymouth State. After serving as an assistant coach under Brett Tryder for seven years, following a four year playing career at Plymouth State, … Read more
Last year’s MASCAC runner-ups return will a veteran core that’s looking to get back to the championship game. “This team returns a great group of athletes,” coach Dean Fuller said. “Last year’s loss in the championship has motivated us to work harder in the off-season so we can get back into that game.” In net, … Read more
It’s an axiom that’s repeated all throughout sports: Good teams don’t rebuild, they reload. Sure, Salem State lost four key seniors, but they gained three transfers, two of whom have already proven themselves in MASCAC play. “They’re just quality players,” said Salem coach Bill O’Neill, who is entering his 30th season in charge of the … Read more