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Women's hockey hopes for another strong season

By Cori Boston

On October 21, 2009

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It is said that the off season is where champions are made. Staying in shape and working on skills make athletes better.

Players for Norwich's women's ice hockey team worked on their skills off season.

"I did suicide sprints and worked on my conditioning all summer," said Danielle Del Dotto, 19, a sophomore sports medicine major from North Andover, Mass.

"Making sure I don't lose my speed and strength is key for me, I like being physical and intimidating and it helps being strong with the puck," said Emily Goff, 21, a junior, communications major from West Roxbury, Mass.

While forwards work on their speed, the goalie has a different workout. "I have to do a lot of stretching. Yoga helps with my flexibility because I'm constantly doing splits trying to prevent the other team from scoring," said Chiara Traversa, 20, a junior business major from Torino, Italy.

"A couple times a week I go to the rink and have my friends take shots at me so I can keep my hand-eye coordination on the same page," Traversa said.

Improving is the only thing coaches and teammates ask for.

"Nothing is perfect but practice does make people better, no matter what sport is being played; it doesn't always have to be hockey," said Goff.

"When I go home I rollerblade a lot, sometimes I will play street hockey, or just bring out the net in my driveway and practice my shots," said Suzanne Whitaker, 20, a sophomore communications major, from Chelmsford, Mass.

Losing only Becky Skully to graduation, and returning over 20 players and a handful of freshmen, the lady Cadets should be competitive.

"I am so excited for this upcoming season; everyone came back with a different mentality, I think the loss last season has brought us closer together. We are ready to lace'em up and take care of business," said Sarah Scardino, 20, a junior communications major from Stoughton, Mass.

Losing to Elmira College in the quarter final game of the NCAA tournament was un-motivating. "We made some mistakes in that game and we paid for it in the end," said Scardino.