It would be difficult for the New Hampton girls hockey team to top what it did last season, which is why the Huskies are not worrying about it.
Last season, New Hampton went 30-3-1 and won the Division 1 NEPSAC championship. While that success was a motivational tool this offseason, the team has new goals.
"It’s obviously great, but as we have talked about with the kids, each year is a new year," Huskies head coach Craig Churchill said. "What we did last year is great and we can use it as a reminder, because in the playoffs, every game we had to come from behind, we can go, ‘Hey, we can do this.’ It gives us confidence and a positive attitude to lean on, but every year is a new year. It doesn’t guarantee success this year. Every year, you’ve got to earn the respect of the league and your opponents."
Although the Huskies lost eight seniors to graduation, including Cayla Barnes, who is now a member of the U.S. women’s national team, they still feel confident in who they do have skating for them.
"We brought in some kids we’re really excited about," Churchill said. "There’s some repeat juniors who can help us right away. But then we brought in a bunch of solid younger kids who can develop and possibly impact us right away."
Offensively, the Huskies will be led by senior forward Savannah Norcross, a Boston College commit who has been her team’s leading scorer the past two seasons. She was named a preseason All-American by USA Today. That will not be the Huskies’ only firepower, however, with McKenzie Haberl, Anna Sheldon and Kelly Matthews also ready to chip in. Junior Olivia Sollows, a former freshman phenom goaltender for Barnstable (Mass.) High, is taking over in net for the Huskies this season after splitting time the past two seasons. To date, the Huskies are 24-2 with her in net.
Defensively, the Huskies will rely heavily on junior Lauren DeBlois, who Churchill said is arguably the top defender in the country. She attended the Team USA U-18 Development Camp this past summer and is a USA Today preseason All-American honorable mention. The top defensive pairing also will include sophomore Maddie Crowley-Cahill.
Although they have enjoyed immense success with New Hampton, the defenders played Tier 2 hockey before being recruited to play at the prep school. The Huskies’ top two defenders have developed into excellent players during their time with the team, even though they were not playing Tier 1 hockey. Churchill said his priority when bringing in players is their character and work ethic.
"I think that’s something we focus on — we always have a positive attitude," he said. "Our focus is always going to be on the process and not the end result. We’re always focused on what we can do to be better, and that’s based on the whole person, not just the hockey player. Things like growth mindset stem beyond hockey. Character development is huge, and that can help us out in the real world, too. During the recruiting process, I like to find kids who I think can be reflective. Those are the kind of kids we’re identifying in the process, and we see it out on the ice with their strength and resilience."
In the weeks headed into the season, the Huskies worked on instilling that chemistry and work ethic into their newer players to make sure the unit jelled.
Div. 2: Worcester the team to beat
Coming off a Division 2 NEPSAC championship, Worcester Academy, which went 20-6-1 last season, is in a strong position again this year.
The Hilltoppers did not have a girls hockey program until the 2010-11 season, but it did not take them long to start being competitive. This year should not be much different as they are returning many of their top players.
"It’s obviously good to have those returning players," head coach Kevin Zifcak said. "We have a good crop of new kids in. We’re lucky to have some great kids come through our program who work hard and compete on the ice. They’ve also been great representations of our school."
This year’s senior class is especially strong for the Hilltoppers. Forward Miceala Sindoris was the NEPSAC Div. 2 Player of the Year last season and defender Tia Martignetti was on the NEPSAC Div. 2 All-New England team. Elmira College commit Morgan Mordini is expected to be one of the team’s leading forwards, and defensively, Tasha Savage, the team’s other senior defender, will be a major contributor.
Sheila Gadbois also provides the team with versatility, playing both forward and defense. Last year, Meagan Miranda (1.53 goals-against average), now a junior, platooned in net with Julia Pelletier, but with Pelletier graduated, Miranda will hold down the starting job by herself.
The biggest difference between this season and last season for the Hilltoppers could be their depth. In the past, they went with 10 forwards and six defenders, which might not be feasible for them this season. In the first few weeks of the season, the Hilltoppers focused on how they could meet that challenge.
"We’ve got to make sure we’re in good enough condition to play two lines or seven forwards and four defenders if we need to," Zifcak said. "They’ve got to know their assignments and be able to execute our game plans."
On the positive side, the Hilltoppers do have the benefit of being coached by a former college hockey head coach. Zifcak spent three seasons as Assumption College’s women’s coach, so that might give his team an edge when developing college hockey prospects.
"No matter where I’ve coached, it’s about making sure the kids are getting better every day and playing the right way," he said. "We want them to get better as skaters and with the puck. We want them to know how to act in certain situations, but we’re just looking to make sure they improve as hockey players, so they’re ready for the next level."
Players to watch
New Hampton’s Norcross was not the only New Englander on USA Today’s preseason All-American list. On offense, Tabor Academy senior forward Kelly Browne, a Boston College commit, got the nod. Browne, a member of the U.S. Under-18 National Team, was Tabor’s leading scorer last season with 52 points (32 goals, 20 assists).
Noble & Greenough junior Lily Farden, a defender who is committed to Harvard, also cracked the list. Farden also played for the Under-18 National Team this summer.
Lindsay Reed, a Harvard commit and senior at Hotchkiss School, was recognized as well. She might be the top prep goaltender in the country, as she got two starts in net for the U.S. Under-18 National Team’s three game series against Canada last August. In those games, she surrendered just two goals combined.
Loomis Chaffee junior forward Jess Schryver, a Northeastern commit, earned recognition as one of the five players given honorable mention on the list.
