|
Heading east may help SCSU
A week after blowout losses to the University of Minnesota Gophers, the Lady Husky hockey team looks to rebound on the east coast with tilts at Niagra and Mercyhurst this weekend.
After the series last weekend, head coach Jason Lesteberg told his team not to be disappointed in themselves.
“I just told them they were a very good hockey team,” he said. “It’s one of the best women’s hockey teams I’ve seen in history.”
Lesteberg feels that his team needs to come out and play hard and smart at the same time, something they didn’t do against the Gophers.
“We weren’t smart with the puck, we made some bad mistakes,” he said.
After playing the No. 2 team in the nation, the Huskies get a break playing against teams that aren’t rated in any national hockey poll. Lesteberg said that both teams are good, but feels that his team should match up pretty well with both.
“Our players know that we have to come flying and create opportunities for ourselves,” Lesteberg said.
One thing that seems to have hit the Lady Huskies hard is the injury bug. Junior captain, Kobi Kawamoto, is still out with a broken leg and freshman forward Katie Hauge is still shelved with a high ankle sprain. Also added to the injury list was junior defenseman Leanne Perrin, who has a contusion to her leg. Senior forward Erin McNamara left Saturday’s game against the Gophers with a concussion. Lesteberg expects her to be back by Sunday’s game against Mercyhurst.
It’s still very early in the season and although the Huskies only own a 1-3-0 record, Lesterberg said that once his players get healthy and understand the systems, they will be a contender.
“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make the Final Five,” Lesteberg said. “Getting beat by Minnesota does not mean we’re not going to meet that goal, it’s still very attainable.”
Another thing that the Huskies are working on is who will start between the pipes when the first puck is dropped this weekend. Senior goaltender Laura Gieselman started last Friday night against the Gophers, allowing 10 goals before being relieved by junior Ellen Brinkman. Saturday’s game saw freshman Brie Anderson make her first career start at the collegiate level, she allowed eight goals. Going into this weekend, Lesteberg is leaving the decision who will start in goal as a game time decision.
“We have no clue who’s going to start this weekend,” he said. “But we’ll figure it out.”
The Huskies are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They travel to New York on Friday to play Niagra, and Saturday down to Erie, Pa. to play the two-game set against Mercyhurst.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
