Hockey Women Poised for NESCAC Defense

Author: Mike Kennedy

The Middlebury women's ice hockey team begins its season this Friday night expecting to contend for both the NESCAC and national crowns. Coming off an impressive 19-3-4 mark of last season, which included the NESCAC title, the Panthers look to improve upon that and reclaim the NCAA title they last held in 2001. Coach Bill Mandigo enters his 16th season behind the bench and will rely on a mix of experienced veterans and a talented group of newcomers to lead this year's team.

In the goal the Panthers possess possibly the best tandem in the league, as they return both Kati Madouros '04 and Kate Kogut '06, who split action for the majority of last season. Madouros has a career goals against average of under one, and Kogut did not lose a game in her first year between the pipes, so the Panthers will undoubtedly be strong in the net.

On the backline Middlebury will be led by senior assistant captain Heather Wende, who will be counted on to anchor the Panther defense. Jackie Cohen '05 and Rose Babst '06 are experienced blueliners who also expect to log serious ice time this season. Ali Liati '05, Jen Yerigan '06 and Gloria Velez '06, along with a group of first-years, look to round out the Panther defense.

Senior Captain Jean Butler leads the Panther attack up front, as she and five others return having scored at least 19 points last season. With last year's National Player of the Year Angela Kapus '03 gone to graduation, the returnees will be forced to increase their production. Lorna Gifis '05, who racked up 30 points a year ago, and Kristen Reid '04, who banged in 14 goals, will be relied upon to generate the scoring. A talented trio of sophomores is returning this year with Emily Quizon, Hannah DeLong and Liz Yale-Loehr, all of whom had solid first-year campaigns. This year's first-year class also looks to contribute, as they have impressed throughout the pre-season.

The Panthers open their season with none other than NESCAC rivals Bowdoin and Colby this weekend at the Chip Kenyon '85 Arena, which will provide them with a serious challenge this early in the year. The Panthers beat Bowdoin to capture the NESCAC title last year, but were ousted by the same Polar Bear team one week later in the national quarterfinals. The team is excited about the challenge. "Bowdoin is always a tough test for us, so it will be nice to open against them and see where we are as a team. We'll just want to make sure that we come out focused and ready to go this weekend," commented Butler. Other key match-ups this season include two games with Williams and one with Elmira, last year's national champion. If the Panthers can come out of those games with their record intact, it promises to be a very successful season for the Middlebury women's hockey team.