Women hope to skate to nationals

The Norwich women's hockey team has started off this new semester strong, with a 12-0-1 record in its conference.  

"This year is going very well for us so far," said Sarah Scardino, a 23-year-old senior from Stoughton, Mass., majoring in communications. "Better than I expected, being this time last year we had lost five games and tied four, and this year our record shows that we have improved."

The women's hockey team opened up its conference play with six straight wins beginning with a huge win against Castleton College 11-1 and finally losing to Plattsburgh State in a non-conference game.

The team's overall record is 14-3-1.

"We are definitely turning things," said Mollie Fitzpratick, a 20-year-old junior from Portland, Maine, majoring in psychology. "This year is testing more of our own will to win instead of our skills; because we have the skills to win games, it's more about our desire to get the win."

After winning the ECAC championship last year, the Cadets look to repeat this year. But their "ultimate goal" is to win nationals, according to Cindy Fortin, 23, a senior from Quebec City.

"We did pretty well last year winning our conference and making it to the championship round for nationals," said Fortin. "We obviously have higher expectations this year which is winning nationals. We are hoping that we all come together and in the end and achieve our goal."

The team lost to Amherst College in the championship round in the NCAA tournament.

"We use that loss as motivation, to get back to the Frozen Four and win," said Amanda Wilks, a 20-year-old junior from Winnipeg majoring in athletic training. "By the looks of it, if we continue to win, we are going to host our conference playoffs if we end up first."

"Our goal is to get back to nationals and win," said Fitzpatrick. "It would be our ultimate dream."

According to Scardino, Monday practices are "work days" and are usually the longest practices, which include a lot of sprints and endurance drills.

"The practices are very intense and tough. We cover pretty much every aspect, individual skills and team strategies," said Fortin. "We work hard every day to get better as a team."

Kayla Lascelle, a 19-year-old freshman from Cornwall, Ont., majoring in sports medicine, broke her ankle in the game against Plattsburgh State.

"This year has been well for us, but it's unfortunate that I'm out with this

jury. When I see my teammates playing I just want to go out there and skate with them," said Lascelle. "My recovery is going very well and I should be back skating by the end of February, but until then all I can do is support my team and encourage them."

According to Wilks, the team is very close on and off the ice. The upperclassmen are showing the freshmen how to play Norwich hockey.

"Our chemistry is great off the ice. I think it shows by the way we play as well," said Scardino. "We grew closer when we came back to school two weeks early for practices and games over break. It was just us, so we bonded more."

"We are having a lot of fun, and no one is ever excluded," said Lascelle. "When you come in as freshmen you bond quicker with the upperclassmen."

Norwich hockey is taken very seriously here in the community and is a big tradition.

"Playing here over the past three years is the most fun I have ever had in my life," said Fitzpatrick. "We have done really well but it's the memories that I have had with them that makes so much better."

"This is by far the best year since I was a freshman; each season we have gotten better and also bonded stronger," said Wilks. "Now the only thing we can do better than last year is win the national championship."