Athlete of the Week: Kat Sweet `05

To most casual observers of women’s hockey, the Crimson first line consists of Jennifer Botterill, Julie Chu, and who?

Sophomore Kat Sweet, that’s who.

One might expect Sweet to be overshadowed on a line with two Olympians, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. This was clearly revealed in Saturday’s 9-2 win over Dartmouth, where Sweet made the clever, coordinated plays that turned a close contest into blowout.

“We’re the lucky ones who get to play with Kat,” Botterill said following Sweet’s two-goal, two-assist performance that led all scorers.

Sweet emerged as Harvard’s first-line choice as the preseason progressed.

“I have no idea what coach was thinking,” Sweet said.

Harvard coach Katey Stone saw in Sweet the skills and, more importantly, the attitude needed to succeed on the first line.

“She’s cocky enough to play with those kids,” Stone said. “You can’t have someone playing with them who’s squeezing their stick a little too tight because they’re so nervous. She’s got the attitude, ‘Hey, you’re lucky to be playing with me.’ And that’s what you need on that line.”

In addition to her daring attitude, Sweet showcased her diversity of skills on the Thompson Arena ice.

“She’s a smart player,” Stone said. “She’s got good hands. She reads the play well. She’s got a little shake and bake which is helpful.”

Sweet showed off those hands when she deflected home a mid-air pass from the point by captain Angela Ruggiero to extend Harvard’s lead to 3-1.

Her second goal was a tribute to her cleverness. Sweet casually entered the zone and looked to pass, but instead ripped a shot on net that caught Dartmouth goaltender Amy Ferguson off guard for the 4-1 lead.

Fake a pass, take the shot or take a shot, fake a pass—Sweet did it all. With the score 5-1, Sweet accomplished the unthinkable by drawing two Dartmouth defenders to set up Botterill for a wide-open shot.

When Harvard needed a strong third-period start to make up for a Dartmouth goal right before the break, Sweet answered the call again by setting up classmate Nicole Corriero for an open shot of her own and another Crimson goal.

For the game, Harvard had as many goals as Dartmouth had shots. No one had scored as many goals against the Big Green since 1986. Harvard thoroughly humbled the program that ended its ECAC championship run each of the past three years.

In defeat, Dartmouth could hardly point to the disparity in national team players on each side. Harvard’s dominance came from all over ice, and nowhere more so than from Sweet.