Hockey season is beginning and at Ohio State that not only means the men are ready to lace up their skates, but the OSU women’s ice hockey team also is getting prepared.
The Buckeyes, who finished fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a record of 12-22-3 last season, begin this season ranked fifth in the WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll.
“Our big goal is to go to the Final Four at the end of the year,” junior captain Meaghan Mulvaney said.
Achieving that goal in this, their fifth season, will not be an easy task for the Buckeyes. OSU’s first two opponents will be Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth, who are ranked second and third respectively in the preseason poll.
“It’s tough right out of the chute,” OSU coach Jackie Barto said. “I’m excited to go against two of the top teams early.”
Both teams from the North Star state appeared in the WCHA championship game last year. Minnesota-Duluth won and then went on to defeat Harvard for the national title.
“It will certainly challenge us,” senior defenseman Emma Laaksonen said.
Though they lost eight seniors to graduation last year, the Buckeyes have confidence in their nine returning offensive players, eight of whom finished the 2002-03 season with over 10 points.
“I think it’s important for us to step it up and create a lot of offense,” senior forward Heather Farrell said.
On the defensive end, Laaksonen brings a wealth of experience to the OSU roster. She is a member of Finland’s national hockey team and has competed in both the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics for her native country.
“You really feel more like a part of the team here (as opposed to the Olympics),” Laaksonen said. “You live with your teammates, go to class with them and play hockey with them.”
Barto said she feels it is this unity that makes winning possible.
“Our biggest asset is the way we’re coming together now, on and off the ice. There’s improvement every day,” she said.
Critical to the team’s success this season is how well their six new freshmen adapt. Many of the rookies will see early playing time and will be expected to immediately contribute.
“The freshmen seem to fit in really well and look good on the ice,” Laaksonen said.
“It’s a young team, but they’re coming along well,” Mulvaney said.
The ladies play their home games at the OSU Ice Rink while their male counterparts play at the Schottenstein Center. This does not seem to bother the women.
“I like playing here,” Farrell said. “It’s a great barn when it gets filled. The men don’t even fill the Schottenstein Center.”
The Buckeyes play exhibition matches against Toronto tomorrow and Saturday at the OSU Ice Rink.
