Women’s Ice Hockey Team Enjoys Remarkable Success

Team claims best record on campus

As the freshmen of the Holy Cross women’s ice hockey team took to the ice for the first time this year, they did not know what to expect. Though prospects for the season ahead looked promising, they knew a lot of hard work would need to be done if they wanted to have a winning season. Twenty wins and only two losses later, the team claims the best record on campus, and has far exceeded the hopes and expectations of freshmen and upperclassmen alike.

While the Crusaders ended last season with a successful record of 16-8-3, only two seniors returned for the upcoming season. This did not discourage the team, but it did not get their hopes too high, either. Eighteen games into the season, however, they remained unbeaten and realized how much talent and skill their team still possessed.

“I knew we had a pretty good team from the start of the season, but I could not have imagined we would be this successful,” said Jocelyn Kratchmer, a sophomore recipient of an Eastern College Athletic Conference Player of the Week Award.

Players and fans alike praise Coach Peter Van Buskirk and attribute some of the success to his excellent coaching and recruiting skills. This year, he has formed an impressive front line. Kratchmer has combined with freshman Stacey Hochkins and senior captain Stephanie Couzin to become the highest scoring line in the league, and have led their team to be the second highest scoring team in the league, as well.

Even more impressive is that this skill and consistency carries over to the defensive end of Van Buskirk’s team. Sophomores Lindsay Atkison and Monique Gallant, and freshman Carly Dominick-Sobol have all started in goal this year and have each picked up at least four wins. This rotation has an extremely remarkable save percentage of more than 90 percent.

Though there have been many memorable moments and victories for the team this season, the undisputed favorite is their second victory over Manhattanville, ranked No. 10 in overall Division III play. The Crusaders were able to topple Manhattanville on their own rink with a dramatic, come from behind, overtime victory of 2-3.

“Manhattanville is a very good team and I think that was the best game our team has played all year. Everyone was playing great and contributing to the win,” said Kratchmer.

Coach Van Buskirk echoed this sentiment. “It was a special day for them, and they had about 1,000 people at the game in New York,” he stated.

Though the Hart Center does not get nearly as many supporters to attend the women’s games, the players would love to see their fan base grow.

“We don’t get a lot of recognition around campus, but I’m hoping our success this year will change that,” said Kylee McIntosh, freshman recipient of an AT&T Crusader of the Week Award.

Despite their exceptional record, the Crusaders will not be able to compete in the national tournament. They are ineligible to play as a Division I school playing in a Division III league.

Still, the Crusaders are looking to finish out the season with two strong wins when they host Plymouth State on Feb. 20 and Southern Maine on Feb. 21 at the Hart Center, and advance to the ECAC Open Tournament on Feb. 28 and March 1.

By Mary Moczula ’11

Pictured: Jocelyn Kratchmer '11