Putting in Extra Work On and Off the Ice; PU Women’s Hockey Primed for Big Season
In an effort to skate past its foes this winter, the Princeton University women’s hockey team is putting in some extra time on its dry land training in its preseason preparation.
“The kids are working hard,” said Princeton head coach Jeff Kampersal, who guided the Tigers to a 14-13-4 record last winter and a spot in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals.
“We are looking to build a good aerobic base so we have been having them do a lot of weight lifting and running in addition to what they are doing on the ice.”
The Tigers have also been putting in some good work on the ice so far in the preseason.
“We had our first full practice on October 10 and we had a scrimmage on October 11,” said Kampersal. “The scrimmage against McGill went better than I expected. We showed a good compete level.”
With the Tigers opening their regular season action by playing a two-game set at Penn State on October 26 and 27, the players are chomping at the bit to compete.
“They are looking forward to getting over preseason and getting into games,” said Kampersal, whose team topped Brown 4-0 last Saturday in its final scrimmage. “They are pushing each other, the seniors are leading on and off the ice.”
Princeton is looking for senior forward Brianna Leahy (8 goals and 13 assists in 2013-14) to lead the Tiger offense.
“We are expecting Bri to step up,” said Kampersal, a 1992 Princeton alum and former Tiger men’s hockey star who is in his 19th season at the helm of the program and has a record of 270-228-51.“She gets up and down the rink well. She is sneaky good on angles and can make explosive plays.”
A pair of juniors, Jaimie McDonell (6 goals, 9 assists) and Molly Contini, along with sophomores Audrey Potts, Cassidy Tucker (7 goals, 6 assists), Morgan Sly (1 assist), Hilary Lloyd (3 goals, 8 assists), and Fiona McKenna (4 goals, 2 assists) have the potential to make some big plays this winter for the Tigers.
“We expect Jaimie to be a solid all-around player for us; Molly is back and should do well,” said Kampersal.
“The whole sophomore class is looking good. I think the biggest improvement usually takes place in the summer between freshman and sophomore year. Kiersten Falck is the most ready of the freshmen; she is strong on her skates and has good hockey instincts.
The corps of defensemen features seniors Ali Pankowski (6 goals, 10 assists) and Brianne Mahoney (1 goal, 2 assists) along with sophomores Kelsey Koelzer (6 goals, 4 assists, and Molly Strabley (3 assists).
“Ali has had a good career, she has a heavy shot from the blue line and is good in the offensive zone,” said Kampersal, noting that he is still figuring out his pairings along the blue line.
“Bri is a really good skater and sees the ice well. We moved Kelsey Koelzer to defense and she played well in the McGill scrimmage; it looks like she may be tailor made for that. Strabley is coming back from shoulder surgery. She is almost at full speed. We will see how the freshmen (Hannah Sorkin and Emily Achterkirch) fit in.”
Junior goalie Kimberly Newell (2.74 goals against average and .906 save percentage in 2013-14) figures to be particularly sharp after competing with Canada’s national team this September at its 2014 Fall Festival.
“Any time you play for your country it is an honor; each time she plays with them she learns something new,” said Kampersal, whose back-up goalies are senior Ashley Holt (1.66 goals against average, .934 save percentage) and freshman Alysia DaSilva.
“It helps to be going against the best players in the world; she will come back even better. We are looking for her to be consistent in each practice and game. She has been looking good in practice so far.”
Kampersal is looking for his players to show consistency and grit collectively this winter.
“The mantra is to compete for 60 minutes and make good hockey plays,” said Kampersal.
“I think we have to stay out of the penalty box and when we get opportunities on the power play, we need to be a 20 percent team. We need to do the little things on the ice, like blocking shots.”
Starting the season on the road should be a positive thing for the Tigers as they look to develop some early chemistry.
“It will be good to be on the road; we haven’t done that with this group yet,” said Kampersal.
“It is a great rink, Penn State will have six games under its belt so it will be interesting.”