Times Argus Sports Guide Winter 2017-2018 | Page 17

The Times Argus Winter Sports Guide 2017-2018
Girls Hockey Preview
U-32
Senior Ali Ahearn leads the team defensively. Ahearn
has tallied two goals and two assists. Junior goalie
Amber McGinley holds a .924 save percentage.
“Hearing people this past fall saying we wouldn’t
win games this season really bothered me, ” said Law-
rence, who won boys hockey state championships
with Spaulding in 1996 and 1997. “I’ve told the girls
it’s up to them to decide where we stack up. I’m not
so much focused on the standings and comparisons
to other teams as I am us learning, practicing right
and improving every single day. ”
After making a semifinal appearance in each of
the last two seasons, the U-32 girls hockey team is
aiming to continue its success this winter.
U-32 was the Division II runner-up two years ago
and was one goal away from a trip back to Gutterson
Fieldhouse last season. The Raiders haven’t won a
state title since 2011.
“I think the girls are starting to come together, ”
U-32 coach Larry Smith said. “A lot of the girls
hadn’t had a chance to play together the past few
years so it’s kind of a new team. We’re young but
we’re starting to gel. ”
The Raiders feature an offense that is averaging
just over three goals per game. Senior Cricket Basa
scored four times in U-32’s 7-1 win over Harwood.
“She has been impressive, ” Smith said. “She’s a very
good athlete, both in soccer as well as hockey. She
did miss all of last year, so she’s just starting to get
her skates under her. I think she’ll be a player that
will get better as the season goes on. ”
Freshman Cece Curtin and junior Chloe Schiff
join Basa as U-32 forwards. Junior Payton Kurrle
leads the Raiders defensively. Senior Gabriela Cal-
deron and junior Brianna Rich will split time in goal.
HARWOOD
After graduat ing key seniors last year, the High-
landers have a youthful roster this winter.
Led by junior standout Lilianna Ziedins, Harwood
will attempt to win its first playoff game since 2013.
Ziedins plays defense for Harwood and has led the
team in points since her freshman year.
“I’m quite happy with the progress we’ve had so
far, ” Harwood coach Mike Vasseur said. “No, we’re
not rock solid. But we’re young and we’re learning. ”
Look for junior April Tousignant, along with
senior defenders Keara Hallam and Katie Delaney, to
be difference-makers for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders have struggled in their first three
games of the season. They are yet to give up fewer
than seven goals in a game and are averaging three
of their own.
Due to dwindling participation numbers, it is
possible that Harwood will have to merge with an-
other team after this season in order to keep the girls
hockey program afloat.
NORTHFIELD
SPAULDING
The Crimson Tide are off to a hot start, but their
true test is yet to come.
Spaulding is undefeated after handling U-23, Burr
& Burton and Hartford with ease.
“Being 3-0 feels good, ” first-year Tide coach
David Lawrence said. “It feels good to build that
confidence. We’re a largely inexperienced team that
constantly needs to push ourselves, but so far things
have gone to plan. That being said, we start to play
the Division I heavyweights this week. That’s really
who you aspire to beat. We’ll find out more of what
we need to work on and what we’re really made of
soon. ”
Spaulding will face Essex, Rice, Rutland, Middle-
bury, BHS/Colchester and CVU/MMU in consecu-
tive games.
Senior Lauryn Bedard and junior Riley McFaun
have paced Spaulding offensively. Bedard and Mc-
Faun have both tallied three goals and one assist.
Eight Marauders play club hockey, helping to buf-
fer the graduation of Courtney Amell, Kristin Smith
and three-year starting goalie Analiese Morvan.
Veterans Brianna Doty and Julia Passalacqua will
lead Northfield, which opened with 2-2 ties against
Woodstock and BHS/Colchester.
“Brianna is big, strong and fast and has good
hockey intelligence, ” Northfield coach Chris Amell
said. “She can do anything and she played forward
for us last year. And Julia is always one of the fastest
players on the ice. She’s a tough stay-at-home defen-
seman. If you play hockey, you don’t want to play
against her. Forwards get frustrated because she’s
always around you and there’s no space. She’s the
quintessential hockey defenseman: Not flashy but
steady. ”
Aleta Mathers, Kailie French, Nichole Pappas,
Reese Clayton, Corrinne Bolding and Haley Brickey
add valuable experience for the Marauders.
“Haley is a freshman defensemen and she will be
one of the best players in the league, ” Amell said. “I
haven’t seen that kind of talent as a freshman since
(Kristen) Dukette. And Corrinne is the most im-
proved player I might have coached in one year. She’s
been in the weight room, and she’s bigger, stronger,
faster. And with her dad being a (Norwich) coach,
her hockey knowledge is through the roof. You can
teach her anything. ”
Sophomore Kaylee Thayer has seen limited varsity
time but boasts a wealth of club experience.
“Last year Kaylee broke her arm in PE class, but
otherwise she would have played more, ” Amell said.
“She’s not a big goalie, but she’s fast and very aggres-
sive. ”
— Jasper Goodman