The best scoring offense in Hockey East from a year ago lost a few key pieces, but with Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie back in the fold, the BOSTON UNIVERSITY Terriers look like contenders again. Bach enters this season as the team’s top returning scorer, having notched 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points a year ago. Erin O’Neill is the definitive starter after a couple of years of BU looking for answers in the crease, and head coach Brian Durocher (Longmeadow, Mass.) is hoping for more consistency from the position. It might be tough for the depth after the top line, with Sammy Davis (Pembroke, Mass.) missing her junior season due to hip surgery. At defense, with Alexis Crossley graduated, Durocher is looking for a big year out of sophomore Abby Cook.
After going 14-18-4 last season, the CONNECTICUT Huskies have high hopes for this season. With a senior-heavy roster, UConn will have some of the most experience in the conference. There are six incoming freshmen as well who will be able to learn from the older group. Senior Leah Lum will look to lead the way for the Huskies on offense alongside senior Marisa Maccario (Marblehead, Mass.), who played in every game last season. Senior Annie Belanger also will be back in the crease after ranking fourth in the conference in goals-against average last season.
After a rough 2016-17 campaign, MAINE is looking to bounce back. All five of the Black Bears’ top five scorers from a year ago return to try to improve on a 10-21-1 record. Tereza Vanisovz, a freshman last year, was a bright spot with 28 points, 16 of them goals, and should be the go-to on offense again. Senior Brooke Stacey also will be one of the top-line leaders for the Bears. Jessica Jacques (North Reading, Mass.) will look to break out in her sophomore season to help the offense. Sophomore Carly Jackson returns to the crease after posting a 2.84 goals-against mark last season.
Now in their third season, the MERRIMACK Warriors are looking to make a leap into being a competitive team. The Warriors had their best season last year and are looking to build off of that. Katelyn Rae showed some explosiveness with eight power-play goals. On defense, Baye Flanagan (Billerica, Mass.) was solid last season and added nine points playing alongside Meghan Martin (Newport, Vt.). Sophomore Mikyla Grant-Mentis also will look to break out after winning the conference’s Rookie of the Week award twice last season. Juniors Jessica Bonfe and Paige Voight were named captains for the Warriors.
The loss of Jonna Curtis will be tough for the NEW HAMPSHIRE Wildcats, but they also return a few top players. Amy Schlegal is back for her senior season as a defender after she was second on the team in goals and points last season. Julia Fedeski, now a senior, will man the point again on a strong power-play group. Hannah Touzos (Foxboro, Mass.) is targeting a strong sophomore season. Maddie Truax (Gardner, Mass.) is an incoming freshman out of Oakmont High School who should make some noise from the blue line.
Even with losses like Paige Savage and Hayley Scammura, NORTHEASTERN Huskies head coach Dave Flint likes the group that he has. Lauren Kelly (Watertown, Mass.) enters her senior season looking to lead the way on defense, with Matti Hartman (Etna, N.H.) looking to break out in her sophomore season. Brittany Bugalski enters her junior season in the crease after going on a tear at the end of last season. Senior forward McKenna Brand is set to pace the offense alongside Denise Krizova and Shelby Herrington (Bow, N.H.).
The loss of Cassidy Carels is a big one for the PROVIDENCE Friars, with Brookie Boguist looking to step up in her place. Four of the top five scorers return for a team that went 17-17-3 last season. Sophomore Kathleen McHugh (Billerica, Mass.) could be a candidate for a breakout campaign to replace some of Carels’ lost production. Rachel Rockwell was impressive from the blue line last season as well alongside Kate Friesen, who added five power-play goals.
After making a run last season in the Hockey East playoffs, the VERMONT Catamounts are looking to take the next step. It took double OT for Boston College to knock of Vermont, which has gone under the radar the past few seasons despite a few solid campaigns. Eve-Audrey Picard, a member of Team Canada’s U-18 team, was a welcome addition with 29 points in her freshman year last season. Alyssa Gorecki, now a junior, also is a key part of the offense. Losing Madison Litchfield to graduation will leave the Catamounts with questions at goalie
