Princeton University Athletics
Women's Hockey Looks to Repeat Last Season's Success In 2003-04
September 23, 2003 | Women's Ice Hockey
Sept. 23, 2003
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The Princeton women's hockey team had its first 20-win season in 2002-03 and will look to repeat that success when the 2003-04 season begins in a little over a month. Head Coach Jeff Kampersal and the Tigers will look to surpass the their fourth-place ranking in the ECAC preseason coaches poll when they start the season at Connecticut on Nov. 1.
2002-03 Review
Princeton head coach Jeff Kampersal knew that on paper the 2002-03 season would be a marquee season for the women's hockey team. A solid returning core of players, two top-level players returning from stints with the U.S. National Team and a deep and talented pool of recruits all combined to give Princeton its first 20-win season and help the Tigers return to the ECAC semifinals for the fourth time and the first visit in five seasons.
"In 2001-02, despite having a small group of players, we were able to accomplish things on the ice," says Kampersal. "Last season we finally had the depth to match our talent. Last year's freshmen provided energy and meshed well with our returning players to lead to a successful campaign."
The cornerstones of the 2002-03 Tigers were Annamarie Holmes and Andrea Kilbourne. Both players had strong college careers, and had complemented that with international experience over the past seasons. "Our coaching jobs are made much easier when we can tap AnnaMarie and Andrea to go out there and know exactly what we were talking about," says Kampersal. They helped set the tone for the team, as well as the sophomores and juniors who continued to improve as well."
2003-04 Outlook
The 2003-04 season will provide new challenges to coach Kampersal and his staff. After making a big jump to college hockey's elite last season, the Tigers have the tough task of staying near the top.
Princeton does not lose a lot off of last year's team that went 20-9-2, but a look closer reveals that the Tigers will miss some of their most influential players from a season ago. The Tigers graduated four players last June, including the second, third and fourth leading scorers on the team. Additionally, those three players; Kilbourne, Holmes and sister, Nikola, provided the leadership to the team's large sophomore and freshmen classes. Princeton also lost goaltender Sarah Ahlquist, who ranks at the top of several Princeton statistical categories.
"Annamarie, Killer and Nikola were among the first big recruits who chose to come to Princeton," says Kampersal. "They are the reason why women's hockey at Princeton is as successful today as it is. All of our success can be attributed to the days they decided to come here. It made recruiting easier. They are great players, but better people."
"There is no doubt that we will miss them, but they have left a mark, and their successes will help to challenge and inspire our team to duplicate and surpass last year's efforts."
Despite the losses, the team returns a strong cast that will look to go even further in 2003-04. The Tigers will be led by a senior class of five members who have all contributed over their three seasons wearing the Orange and Black.
"I feel that we have one of the best senior classes in the East," says Kampersal. "We are depending on Lisa[Rasmussen], Susan [Hobson], Gretchen [Anderson], Ang [Gooldy], and Megan [Van Beusekom] to carry our team throughout the season. Lisa, Gretchen and Susan are all dynamic offensive players; Ang is a stabilizing force on the blue line; and Megan is the ultimate stopper in goal."
Rasmussen will serve as the team's captain this season and is coming off a season in which she scored seven goals and added 19 assists. Anderson and Van Buesekom were both named assistant captains.
"The trio of captains should work well to help lead the team this season," says Kampersal. "Lisa is tireless on the ice and never stops working and that will transfer to her role as a captain off the ice as well. Gretchen and Megan are two of our best performers on the ice and their strong work ethic is sure to lift the the team throughout the season."
Forwards (Returning - 9, Lost - 2, Newcomers - 4)
With the departure of Kilbourne and Nikola Holmes, Princeton will look to some of its underclassmen to help pick up the squad in offensive production. Anderson, who led the Tigers in scoring a season ago, returns as the spark in Princeton's offense.
Rasmussen and Hobson each provided the Tigers 19 points last season and both scored pivotal goals throughout the season. They will be looked upon to continue that pace and to take it a level higher.
"Gretchen, Lisa and Susan have been in trenches and know what is needed and expected from them," says Kampersal. "They will do an excellent job picking up for Killer and Nikola and will provide the fuel that runs us in the offensive zone.
Beyond the seniors, the Tiger offense is mainly made up of sophomores and freshmen, with the exception of junior Becky Stewart.
"Besides our seniors, I am confident that Becky Stewart and our entire class of sophomore forwards will have great years," says Kampersal. "Stewart will be a pivotal performer. Her skill and outstanding skating ability will cause our opponents concern. Sophomore Heather Jackson was a key contributor last year, scoring some big goals and drawing numerous penalties for our strong power-play to work on."
"Sophomores Sarah Butsch, and Tarah Clark return to the lineup after solid freshman campaigns, and Sarah Shea and Sarah Greer add grit and enthusiasm to the forward unit, as both are great competitors."
All the sophomores contributed last season, in fact, sophomores scored two of Princeton's biggest goals, as Clark netted the game-winner at Providence and Butsch did the same against Dartmouth.
The coaching staff will also look for immediate contribution from its four freshman forwards.
"Liz Keady, Kim Pearce, Alison Ralph, and Laura Watt are all promising young players," says Kampersal. "They will bring energy, skill, and character to the program."
Defense (Returning - 5, Lost - 1, Newcomers - 2)
For the second season in a row, Princeton loses only one defenseman, but for the second year in a row, that defeseman earned first-team All-ECAC honors. With the loss of defensive mainstay Annamarie Holmes, the Tigers will look to Gooldy to quarterback their defensive corps, as the senior defenseman has worked on complementing her aggressive style of play over the past season.
"Angela will lead the defense this season," states Kampersal. "Last year she balanced a very aggressive defensive style with five power play goals. She was our fifth leading scorer, but was also someone we could look to set a physical tone in a game."
Among Princeton's strong cast of returning defenders are juniors Katharine Maglione and April Brown.
"They are both stellar performers," says Kampersal. "Katharine is outstanding in the defensive zone, yet has an offensive flare. April transitioned from forward to defense last season and brings skill and great anticipation from the back. She also possesses a hard shot from the point.
Sophomore's Chrissie Norwich and Laura Stroessner are also among the Tigers' returning defensemen.
"Chrissie had a great first year and looks to build on that experience," says Kampersal. "Laura is a smart and fiesty and plays aggressively in the D-zone."
As at forward, the Tigers will look for their freshman recruits to step into the lineup and have an impact right away.
"Dina [McCumber] is a feisty and cerebral player and will fit into our style of play very well, while Kate [Hession] is a reliable stay at home defenseman who will be an anchor for us."
Goaltending (Returning - 2, Lost - 1, Newcomers - 0)
No team can be successful without a solid goaltender between the pipes. That will not be a problem for Tigers as Van Beusekom and Roxanne Gaudiel will take turns in the Princeton net this season.
Van Beusekom was the workhorse for the Tigers a season ago, playing to a 14-7-1 record. She also ranks high in almost every statistical category for goaltenders in the Princeton record book. Her hardwork was noticed as she was invited to the U.S. National Women's Hockey Festival this summer in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Gaudiel made her collegiate debut last season as one of the top goaltending recruits in the country. She appeared in six games and played to a 3-0-0 record. She, too, was named to the U.S. Women's Festival and was named to the national under-22 team that competed in an exhibition against Canada in Montreal.
"Goaltending is probably our strongest postion," says Kampersal. "Both Megan and Roxy were invited to that national team festival, and are considered among the best in college hockey. Megan proved last season that she is one of the elite goalies in the college game. She is very solid and has excellent technique. Roxy is eager and athletic. They are both competitive and push each other to better things everyday in practice."