2007-08 Season Outlook
Coming off a season in which the Minnesota State University women's hockey team increased its win total by five games from the previous year, and including a sweep over powerhouse Minnesota and a three-point weekend versus Minnesota Duluth, expectations are high for the 2007-08 hockey season.
The Mavericks, who finished 2006-07 with a 16-17-2 record and ranked fifth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a 12-14-2 record, recorded double-digit wins for the fifth time in the nine-year history of the program.
Jeff Vizenor, who marks his seventh season as the bench boss of the Mavericks, liked what he saw last season from his squad in 2006-07.
"It was a very good season," said Vizenor. "We had a great group of young women that accomplished things that no other Maverick team had. It was a tough end to the season with some injuries and illnesses at playoff time, but we battled and competed each night.
"Obviously, we had some big wins over Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth last season that people and players will remember, but I am also very happy with how this team got along and worked together."
This season's team features a line-up consisting of seven seniors, one junior, eight sophomores (two of whom redshirted last year) and six newcomers, leaving the Mavericks with a nice balance of older and younger players to take on the rigorous schedule of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Led by junior Maggie Fisher, who stood atop of last year's Minnesota State scoring charts with 17 goals, 17 assists and 34 points, and senior Lindsay Macy, who scored 16 goals, 17 assists and 33 points, the Mavericks boast a nice one-two offensive punch at forward.
Minnesota State claims offensive depth at forward with sophomore Christina Lee (15-13–28), senior Kristina Bunker (8-18–26), senior Jodi Helminen (7-12–19), senior Amanda Stohr (7-8–15), senior Brittany Mackley (2-1–3) and sophomores Kala Buganski (5-10–15), Jenna Hewitt (1-0–1) and Ashley Young (6-10–16) as returning frontliners.
With the wealth of experienced forwards returning, Vizenor's expectations run high.
"I would expect all the players that were at the top of our scoring charts to repeat their efforts and add to it," said the Rogers, Minn., native.
"I think that Kala Buganski, with a year of experience and a year in the weight room, will make big gains this coming year.
"I also saw Ashley Young get better each week of the season and see her having an even better sophomore campaign."
The Minnesota State blue line is the area that takes the biggest hit with the 378 games of experience departed due to the graduation of seniors Sammy Jo Miller, Megan Jedinak and Richelle St. Croix.
Returning defensemen in 2007-08 include senior Andreanne Thilbault (1-5–6) along with sophomores Ida Clark (0-5–5), Kathleen Rosso (0-3–3) and Holly Snyder (0-5–5). Snyder was selected to the 2006-07 WCHA All-Rookie Team last winter.
Between the pipes, senior Britni Kehler, who played in over 95% of the action last season, is set to return for her final season as a Maverick. Posting a 2.78 goals-against average last season and a .919 save percentage, Kehler will be considered one of the top-returning goaltenders in the WCHA.
Sophomore Katerina Geertsen, who played in three games last year is described by Vizenor as a "hard worker who has the potential to see more ice time for us this season."
Adding to the Mavericks' 2007-08 team roster mix are six newcomers. Amy Udvig (defense, New Brighton, MN), Paige Thunder (goaltender, Cloquet, MN), Kristi Ellis (defense, Rogers, MN) and Ashley Bliskowski (defense, St. Francis, MN), Lisa Edman (forward, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) and Nina Tikkinen (forward, Salo, Finland).
Vizenor is confident that the incoming freshman can make a positive impact on the 2007-08 season.
"We will have some young defensemen that will need to learn the ropes of playing the game at the NCAA Division 1 level, but we are confident in all our freshman to make positive contributions both on and off the ice."