Boston College Athletics
Women's Ice Hockey Set To Face Wayne State
October 15, 2004 | Women's Hockey
Oct. 15, 2004
When the puck drops in Kelley Rink this Saturday at 2 p.m. against Wayne State in the Eagle's first regular season contest, Head Coach Tom Mutch hopes the game will lead to a season of many firsts.
The showdown against Wayne State will be the first collegiate game for nine Eagle freshmen and the first game at Boston College for sophomore defender Krystal Strassman, a transfer from Brown.
Never before has the women's hockey team been ranked as high as third in the pre-season Hockey East rankings. Mutch hopes this season will feature the program's first Hockey East playoff appearance, which requires a fourth place finish or better in the conference.
"Our goal right now is to make the playoffs in the Hockey East and continue to climb as a program and to keep moving forward," Mutch said.
Saturday's contest versus the Wayne State Warriors will give Mutch an opportunity to see the newcomers in their first collegiate action.
"I think the kids are going to have to steer the boat, and hopefully the younger kids will push the boat for us," Mutch said. "I think everyone of them (newcomers) will have an immediate impact because our numbers are so small."
Speaking of newcomers, Boston College welcomes the addition of Deborah Spillane, a forward from Franklin, Mass., who has been named to the USCHO All-American Rookie Team. As a major contributor last year at Franklin High, Spillane helped Franklin capture back-to-back Hockomock League Championships.
As for veteran leadership, the Eagles will look to senior co-captains Sarah Carlson and Kerri Sanders to propel the program in the right direction.
"I think our big thing is we have great leadership from Carlson and Sanders and, obviously, with our goaltending, Lisa Davis is coming back and playing in her fourth year," Mutch said. "I look to the seniors to move our people forward in our program and direct them in the right way."
With Wayne State coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers last weekend, Boston College hopes to keep the pressure on the Warriors. The No. 3 ranked Badgers knocked off Wayne State 8-1 on Friday, Oct. 8, and 11-0 on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Boston College hopes to limit Wayne State in the net, yet will miss veteran goalie Lisa Davis, who is recovering from mono. Davis ranks second on Boston College's all-time saves list. The Eagles will rely on junior Alison Quandt and sophomore Christine Moynihan in the net.
"That whole group, I'm very confident that any one of them can do the job for us," Mutch said. "And obviously, Lisa wants to walk away from Boston College with a great senior year." Davis will likely sit out for a few weeks.
On the defensive end, the Eagles are anchored by Carlson and junior Jill McInnis. Mutch said he hopes the team's youngsters will learn from Carlson's strong work ethic and leadership.
"I think there is going to be no doubt that Sarah Carlson is definitely going to have to lead this charge," Mutch said. "Defensively, she's so solid and her leadership quality is really coming out as being an unbelievable person.
"And, [with] Jill McInnis, we're going to throw her back there, and I think she can be a real solid defensive force that can add some scoring punch to us."
While Saturday's contest with Wayne State is the first in a season filled with lofty expectations, Mutch hopes the season opener will be the start of something great.
"Just to keep moving forward here, you know, obviously we'd like to attain that playoff position one through four," Mutch said. "Wherever we land is great. I just hope we can get better everyday and really strive to be really good come late February and early March."
