{"id":30111,"date":"2008-11-20T10:07:54","date_gmt":"2008-11-20T16:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2008\/11\/20\/nescac-season-preview\/"},"modified":"2010-08-17T19:57:18","modified_gmt":"2010-08-18T00:57:18","slug":"nescac-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/2008\/11\/20\/nescac-season-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"NESCAC Season Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"
Last weekend Middlebury, Trinity, Williams, and Wesleyan half kicked off the start of the 2008-2009 season for the NESCAC schools. Middlebury downed rival Williams 5-1 and Trinity hung seven goals on Wesleyan en route to a 7-1 win over the Cardinals. Finally, this weekend all 45 Division III women\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s teams will have played their first games of the season when Colby, Connecticut College, and defending NESCAC champion Amherst all take the ice for the first time.<\/p>\n
Amherst Lady Jeffs<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Jim Plumer (71-50-12) 6th season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 20-4-4
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 12-0-4 (2nd)
\nMy Projected Finish: First
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Poll Projection: First<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Megan Quinn, Elizabeth Ditmore
\nKey Returnees: Courtney Hanlon (15-20-35), Tarasai Karega (15-13-28), Lindsey Harrington (8-13-21), Krystyn Elek (1.33 GGA, .940 Save %), Kirsten Dier (3-11-14)
\nNewcomers to watch: Josie Fisher, Stephanie Clegg<\/p>\n
Middlebury Panthers<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Bill Mandigo (372-94-16) 21st season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 19-4-3
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 13-0-3 (1st)
\nMy Projected Finish: Second
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Poll Projection: Second<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Karen Levin, Lacey Farrell
\nKey Returnees: Annmarie Cellino (13-30-43), Randi Dumont (8-10-18), Molly Vitt (7-11-18), Erika Nakamura (13-10-23), Anna McNally (19-18-37)
\nNewcomers to watch: Maggie Melberg, Grace Waters, Jamie Harisiades<\/p>\n
Trinity Bantams<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Andrew McPhee (49-78-9) 7th season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 18-5-3
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 10-3-3 (3rd)
\nMy Projected Finish: Third
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Poll Projection: Third<\/p>\n
Key Losses: D-Erin Fitzgerald, D-Ali Schmidt, F-Emmy Handy
\nKey Returnees: G-Isabel Iwachiw (1.14 GGA, .958 Save %), F-Kim Weiss (15-12-27), F-Michelle Chee (12-11-23), D-Kelley McCarthy (2-10-12)
\nNewcomers to watch: Celia Colman-McGaw, Brigitte Cellino, Hannah Harvey<\/p>\n
Colby Mules<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: David Venditti (106-73-20) 9th season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 15-9-3
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 8-5-3 (4th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Fourth
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projection: Fourth<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Gen Triganne, Lauren Goethals, Marissa Mullane, Caroline Voyles
\nKey Returnees: Becky Julian (18-15-33), Laura Anning (18-12-30), Lacey Brown (2.08 GGA, .934 Save %), Stephanie Scarpato (9-11-20), Amanda Comeau (8-11-19)
\nNewcomers to watch: Marissa Simmons, (Milton Academy) and Brittany Kirby, (Taft)<\/p>\n
Bowdoin Polar Bears<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Stacy Wilson (6-12-6) 2nd season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 5-12-6
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 2-8-6 (7th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Sixth
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projected Finish: Fifth<\/p>\n
No Report.<\/p>\n
Conn. College Camels<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Kristin Steele (37-108-19) 8th season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 7-14-4
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 5-8-3 (5th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Fifth
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projected Finish: Sixth<\/p>\n
No Report.<\/p>\n
Hamilton Continentals<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Brendon Knight (17-29-6) 3rd season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 6-15-4
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 4-8-4 (6th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Seventh
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projected Finish: Seventh<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Jodi Raymond, Lauren Tomford (transfer to St. Olaf)
\nKey Returnees: D. Kate Marek (3-4-7), F. Kathryn Kroleski (9-6-15), and D. Rachel Rapoza (0-7-7)
\nNewcomer to watch: Meredith Bitterman<\/p>\n
Williams Ephs<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Shannon Bryant (73-108-12) 9th season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 5-17-2
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 3-12-1 (8th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Eighth
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projected Finish: Eighth<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Caralyn Quan
\nKey Returnees: Tracey Ferriter (8-9-17), Joey Lye (3-6-9), Sam Tarnasky (10-11-21)
\nNewcomers to watch: Sara Plunkett, Hannah Systrom<\/p>\n
Wesleyan Cardinals<\/b><\/p>\n
Head Coach: Jodi McKenna (5-17-1) 2nd season
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Overall Record: 5-16-1
\nLast year\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s NESCAC Record: 1-14-1 (9th)
\nMy Projected Finish: Ninth
\nCoaches\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2 Projected Finish: Ninth<\/p>\n
Key Losses: Julia Kazmers and Adrienne Shea
\nKey Returnees: Hannah Jackson (6-11-17), Rachel Stemmerman (3.14 GGA, .918 Save %) and Sena Ito (7-5-12)
\nNewcomers to watch: F. Julia Mulhern, F. Jill Reynolds, and D. Rebecca Snelling<\/p>\n
Analysis<\/b><\/p>\n
The NESCAC is going to be one of the most intriguing conferences this season to see how things pan out. Amherst and Middlebury are the established favorites and matched each other game for game last year for the most part. <\/p>\n
The Lady Jeffs return their top eight scorers from last season along with All-American goaltender Krystyn Elek between the pipes giving head coach Jim Plumer plenty to look forward to this season. <\/p>\n
Middlebury lost three of their top ten scorers from last season so I have to give Amherst the slight edge as of right now. However, the Panthers 1-2 punch of Anna McNally and AnnMarie Cellino returns this season, which should strike fear into every opposing goaltender.<\/p>\n
After Middlebury and Amherst, you have Trinity who had an outstanding breakout season last year under Andrew McPhee. The Bantams had a banner season behind the great goaltending of Isabel Iwachiw and the timely scoring of Kim Weiss, Michelle Chee, and Britney McKenna and with all four returning, Trinity will look to take the next step up and beat Middlebury and Amherst.<\/p>\n
Colby made headlines last season as they knocked off Middlebury in the NESCAC semifinals. The Mules got off to a rough start last season but really turned it around down the stretch and will be an interesting team to watch this season if they can keep up their success. Colby\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s Becky Julian and Laura Anning rival Middlebury\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s dynamic duo as one of the best in the nation.<\/p>\n
After the top four it\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s pretty much anybody\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s guess. Will Bowdoin and Williams return to their once powerhouse form after struggling last season? Can Hamilton squeak out a few more wins this season after many tightly contested match-ups last year where they found themselves on the short end of the stick?<\/p>\n
The snow is starting to fall and shortly we will be kicking the 2008-2009 season into high gear. Strap in and get ready for what is sure to be a roller coaster ride in not only the NESCAC but also the entire Division III nation!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NESCAC Season Preview Last weekend Middlebury, Trinity, Williams, and Wesleyan half kicked off the start of the 2008-2009 season for the NESCAC schools. Middlebury downed rival Williams 5-1 and Trinity hung seven goals on Wesleyan en route to a 7-1 win over the Cardinals. Finally, this weekend all 45 Division III women\u00c3\u0192\u00c2\u00a2\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u0161\u00c2\u00ac\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u20ac\u017e\u00c2\u00a2s teams will have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n