HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

Net Gain for Women's Hockey

Returning luminaries and talented newcomers join a strong, hopeful Crimson team on the ice

Kiirsten Suurkask '01, last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year, is poised this year to compete with her own 51-point total. Photo by Tim Morse.

After finishing the 1997-98 campaign with its first post-season appearance in three years and the most wins (14) in nine seasons, the 1998-99 edition of the women's ice hockey team has a golden opportunity to become one of the most successful teams in the history of the program. With the return of 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist A.J. Mleczko and a whole host of complementary players, the Crimson, powerfully staffed and rarin' to go, will be looking to capture its first ECAC title and its first Ivy League crown since 1991.

Head Coach Katey Stone enters her fifth season behind the bench for Harvard, and is ready for a breakthrough year for the Crimson. Stone, who has recently been named the president of the American Hockey Coaches Association of America, has been highly successful in recruiting student-athletes to play for the Crimson. Stone, who has posted a career record of 45-62-3, has gathered together a remarkable string of highly-touted recruiting classes, culminating in this year's class which includes, among its other luminaries, two of North America's most sought-after recruits.

The Crimson will have a potent and deep attack up front. Led by the two-time First team All-Ivy League selection and co-captain, Mleczko, Harvard will have a number of players who can be relied on to put the puck in the net. Senior Mleczko returns as the Crimson's all-time leading scorer with 91 goals and 52 assists for 143 points. She has been away from Harvard for the past two years to train with the United States National Team. Her hard work paid off, as Mleczko made history as a member of the U.S. Women's Olympic team that won the Gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan last winter.

Tammy Shewchuk '01, also returns to the Crimson after taking a year off to train with the Canadian National team. In her freshman year, Shewchuck set the Harvard single-season scoring record with 38 goals and 15 assists for 53 points.

Co-captain Claudia Asano '99, a very versatile player, is part of the defense this year, after playing forward most of last season. An excellent skater, Asano was the team's fourth leading scorer last year with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. Photo by Tim Morse.

Last season the Crimson was led by a pair of freshmen who topped the team in scoring. Angie Francisco '01 broke Shewchuk's single-season scoring mark by tallying 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points. Kiirsten Suurkask '01, the 1998 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, finished the season with 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points. Senior Jen Gerometta is one of the hardest working players on the team and tallied 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points a year ago. Freshman Jennifer Botterill, a member of the 1998 silver medal winning Canadian Olympic team, will be a valuable addition to the Crimson front line.

Harvard's defense returns six players from last season and adds the number one recruit in college hockey this year in freshman Angela Ruggiero. A member of the 1998 United States Women's Olympic hockey team, Ruggiero will step in as one of the nation's top defenders.

Co-captain Claudia Asano '99 is an extremely versatile player and will be stationed in the defense this year, after playing forward most of last season. An excellent skater, Asano was the team's fourth leading scorer last year with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. Senior Melissa Milbert is a reliable defender who isn't afraid to take the body. Junior Christie MacKinnon improved steadily throughout last season, and finished the year with two goals and nine assists for 11 points. Sophomores Jamie Notman and Julie Rando proved that they can play at the collegiate level, and will be counted on to make a significant contribution.

The goaltending position is in good shape, as last year's number-one goalie, junior Crystal Springer returns for her second year at Harvard. Springer emerged as the starter last winter, and proved that she is more than capable of carrying a heavy workload. Newcomer Alison Kuusisto is a talented young netminder and will look to gain valuable experience this season. Senior Lauren Harris has been with the team for three seasons and is one of the hardest-working players on the team.

Harvard will look to improve on its 14-16 record from a year ago. A heartbreaking, 2-1 loss to UNH in overtime of the ECAC Quarterfinals has served as motivation for this year's squad. An Ivy League title would be great; an ECAC Finals appearance would be fantastic; but a trip to the second annual USA Hockey Women's national championships is the ultimate goal for this team in the fifth year of the Katey Stone era.