Rutland Herald Sports Guide Winter 2017-2018 | Page 18

18 Rutland Herald Winter Sports Guide 2017-2018 Rutland High School Home of the Raiders RUTLAND GIRLS ICE HOCKEY 1 Emily Hathaway 5 Ella Beraldi 6 Brianna Beauchamp 8 Megan McGee 9 Olivia Starer 12 Ella Lowkes 14 Meghan Hamilton 15 Emma Mazzariello 16 Sera Wideawake 18 Taylor Surething 20 Kelsey Barker 21 Paige Langlois 22 Alexis Patterson 23 Maggie Schillinger 24 Elizabeth Wideawake 40 Amy Howard Head Coach Dirk Steupert Assistant Coaches Emily Reynolds and Deanna Rodolfy Girls Hockey Hockey Preview T he Rutland girls hockey team is in a posi- tion for the first time ever: defending state champions. The 2016-2017 version claimed the Division I state title at the University of Vermont in March and now enters the new season with a lot of con- fidence and excitement. “We lost some seniors. They were a special group, ” Rutland coach Dirk Steupert said. “We lost one to prep school but we have an incoming group that are fitting right in. They are working hard and they fit right in. “They know each other. They got a chance to see last year so that makes a big difference I think on attitude and work ethic. ” Rutland returns a strong nucleus, including its first line, all of whom are seniors. Meghan Hamilton, last year’s leading scorer, was paired with Emma Mazzariello and Olivia Starer. Also returning are defensemen Maggie Schillinger and Ella Beraldi, as well as forwards Brianna Beauchamp, Elizabeth Wideawake, Megan McGee, Kelsey Barker, Paige Langlois and Taylor Surething. The Raiders have put a good week of work in and scrimmaged with Middlebury last Saturday. Although there are some big skates to fill, including those of Angelina Tommola, who is attending Kimball Union Academy, Steupert feels he has some quality newcomers. He thinks that freshmen Ella Lowkes and Lexi Patterson, as well as Sera Wideawake, will come along for the Raiders. Amy Howard will handle the goalkeeping duties and freshman Emily Hathaway has volun- teered to work in the net and serve as the backup.