W. Icers Spank Bowdoin

The Harvard women's hockey team split a pair of games over the weekend against Colby and Bowdoin. After losing to Colby 6-3 on Saturday, the Crimson came back like gangbusters to beat Bowdoin, 8-0.

Harvard, which entered these two nonIvy League games tied for fourth in the Ancient Eight with Cornell, is still in a position to secure a playoff berth. The Crimson (3-5 Ivy, 9-7-1 overall) play seven games in the next fifteen days, and need to have more Bowdoin performances and fewer Colby results to get into postseason play. Harvard  3 Colby  6 Harvard  8 Bowdoin  0

Colby, who Harvard had beaten 11 straight times and had not lost to since 1982-1983, outplayed Harvard throughout. Although the Crimson jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, Colby soon re-established control and did not trail again.

"We played well in the beginning of the game," sophomore forward Kate Schutt said, "But they out hustled us at the end. They capitalized on our mistakes, and had a fast, aggressive, first line."

Freshmen goaltender Jennifer Bowdoin, fresh off last Wednesday's 1-0 shutout of Middlebury, started the game in goal, but was pulled after two periods with the score 4-2 in Colby's favor. Bowdoin, however, continues to lead the Ivies with a 0.86 goals against average in three league games. (Senior Erin Villiote, Harvard's regular net-minder, is fifth in the Ivies with a 3.54 goals against average in six games.)

But even with net-minder change, Colby controlled the third period, outscoring Harvard 2-1 and never leaving the outcome of the game in doubt.

"We were storming for the first five minutes of the game," freshman for-ward Casi Walker said, "But after that, we weren't clicking. We were disorganized, and I don't think we were mentally prepared. We didn't keep our heads in the game."

Against a much weaker Bowdoin team, the game was much different. Harvard dominated throughout, and improved its overall record against Bowdoin to 15-1-1. Villiote was in goal for the 8-0 victory.

"Bowdoin wasn't that good," Schutt said. "We were able to walk around them."

Seven different players scored for Harvard, including a pair by captain Winkie Mleczko, who was averaging only a little more than a half a point a game entering the contest. Notably, freshman Walker netted her first career goal.

Tonight, Harvard faces Boston College at the Bright Center in the 17th annual Women's Hockey Beanpole. Harvard defeated BC 2-0 when they met earlier this year on November 30th, and the Crimson are confident they can repeat victory against the Eagles.

"We're really glad the Beanpole is at Harvard," Schuss said. "We're looking forward to playing tomorrow night, and we think we have a great chance to win. We proved we have the talent against Princeton (a 3-1 win over the league leading Tigers on December third), but we need everyone to play their best."

Schuss, however, warned against looking forward to playing in the Beanpole final against the winner of the other first round game--North eastern versus Boston University.

"We are not looking past tomorrow night's game," Schuss said. "We've looked too far ahead before, but what we just need to do is concentrate on playing three solid periods."

Walker echoed Schutt's concerns about inconsistency, but was a little bolder about predicting tonight's outcome.

"We just need to be consistent and keep our heads in the game," Walker said. "It's usually a tough game against BC, but they're not as strong as we are. Playing in front of the home crowd will be great, and we will win."

Is that a guarantee?

"Yes, that's a guarantee. We will win," Walker said once again.

Boston University and Northeastern are scheduled to face-off at 6 p.m., and Harvard and Boston College are slotted for an 8 p.m. start. Northeastern won last year's tournament, which was played at Boston College, and is favored to repeat.

The Huskies have won 11 Beanpot titles, the Crimson have won three, and the Terriers have won one. Brown, which was invited to participate in 1993, won that year's title. Harvard last won the title in 1992.

Colby, who Harvard had beaten 11 straight times and had not lost to since 1982-1983, outplayed Harvard throughout. Although the Crimson jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, Colby soon re-established control and did not trail again.

"We played well in the beginning of the game," sophomore forward Kate Schutt said, "But they out hustled us at the end. They capitalized on our mistakes, and had a fast, aggressive, first line."

Freshmen goaltender Jennifer Bowdoin, fresh off last Wednesday's 1-0 shutout of Middlebury, started the game in goal, but was pulled after two periods with the score 4-2 in Colby's favor. Bowdoin, however, continues to lead the Ivies with a 0.86 goals against average in three league games. (Senior Erin Villiote, Harvard's regular net-minder, is fifth in the Ivies with a 3.54 goals against average in six games.)

But even with net-minder change, Colby controlled the third period, outscoring Harvard 2-1 and never leaving the outcome of the game in doubt.

"We were storming for the first five minutes of the game," freshman for-ward Casi Walker said, "But after that, we weren't clicking. We were disorganized, and I don't think we were mentally prepared. We didn't keep our heads in the game."

Against a much weaker Bowdoin team, the game was much different. Harvard dominated throughout, and improved its overall record against Bowdoin to 15-1-1. Villiote was in goal for the 8-0 victory.

"Bowdoin wasn't that good," Schutt said. "We were able to walk around them."

Seven different players scored for Harvard, including a pair by captain Winkie Mleczko, who was averaging only a little more than a half a point a game entering the contest. Notably, freshman Walker netted her first career goal.

Tonight, Harvard faces Boston College at the Bright Center in the 17th annual Women's Hockey Beanpole. Harvard defeated BC 2-0 when they met earlier this year on November 30th, and the Crimson are confident they can repeat victory against the Eagles.

"We're really glad the Beanpole is at Harvard," Schuss said. "We're looking forward to playing tomorrow night, and we think we have a great chance to win. We proved we have the talent against Princeton (a 3-1 win over the league leading Tigers on December third), but we need everyone to play their best."

Schuss, however, warned against looking forward to playing in the Beanpole final against the winner of the other first round game--North eastern versus Boston University.

"We are not looking past tomorrow night's game," Schuss said. "We've looked too far ahead before, but what we just need to do is concentrate on playing three solid periods."

Walker echoed Schutt's concerns about inconsistency, but was a little bolder about predicting tonight's outcome.

"We just need to be consistent and keep our heads in the game," Walker said. "It's usually a tough game against BC, but they're not as strong as we are. Playing in front of the home crowd will be great, and we will win."

Is that a guarantee?

"Yes, that's a guarantee. We will win," Walker said once again.

Boston University and Northeastern are scheduled to face-off at 6 p.m., and Harvard and Boston College are slotted for an 8 p.m. start. Northeastern won last year's tournament, which was played at Boston College, and is favored to repeat.

The Huskies have won 11 Beanpot titles, the Crimson have won three, and the Terriers have won one. Brown, which was invited to participate in 1993, won that year's title. Harvard last won the title in 1992.