Harvard Looks to Sophomores for Production

Being on a team whose veterans are nationally acclaimed and often recognized for excellence might seem daunting to an underclassman looking for her moment to shine. But on the Harvard women’s hockey team, which is spoiled with talent, some people simply can’t help standing out.

After a rocky start to the season, the Crimson finally found its footing, thanks to contributions not only from the upperclassmen, but a solid core of sophomores as well.

“I think they’re playing with a lot of confidence, and that’s what’s important at this time of year,” Harvard coach Katey Stone said. “They’ve got a lot of energy, they’re dynamic players, and hopefully their contributions will continue through the playoffs.”

Certain second-years have truly reached the potential that they flashed as rookies, earning playing time during crucial minutes and having a hand in some of the Crimson’s most critical plays. Among the underclassmen, those who have most consistently delivered the goods are Leanna Coskren, Liza Ryabkina, Katharine Chute, and Kate Buesser.

“Those four sophomores have definitely stepped it up for us this year,” tri-captain Sarah Vaillancourt said. “At the beginning of the season [the captains] mentioned to them that they weren’t freshman anymore and that we were expecting a lot more from them, and we didn’t have to repeat that. They really took it seriously and they really [worked hard] right from the first practice and the first lift session.”

Being freshmen on a team that enjoyed a near flawless record last year did not prepare the now-sophomores for the uphill battle that Harvard has faced this season. It is a testament to their raw talent and unyielding determination that the young players have stepped up, not only assuming more responsibility in play, but excelling in doing so.

“We came to realize that this team is a new team and we just have to find our strengths and work with it,” Buesser said. “I think that we have done that this year and our record has definitely shown that as of late.”

The Crimson’s recent surge of success can largely be attributed to improvements in the defensive line. Leading defenseman, Leanna Coskren, is a key player, appearing in 29 out of the 31 games so far this season, and collecting eight points in her career to date.

“Leanna is one of the top defense on our team right now, which is saying a lot [considering] that in the ECAC we are number one,” Vaillancourt said. “So she is one of the top defense in the ECAC, I would say.”

The playoffs have seen Chute and Ryabkina also make their mark, most recently in the game against Cornell in which the duo dominated the third period, netting three goals between them. Picking up impressive totals of 18 and 15 points this season, respectively, the frequency with which Chute and Ryabkina are called upon to perform in games is not surprising.

“Liza is the one that constantly stays on the ice after [practice] when I want to work on stuff and she will always stay with me and work on things to get better,” Vaillancourt said. “I think that has helped her tremendously throughout the season so far.”

Vaillancourt’s praise for Ryabkina reflects well on the sophomore, who has developed her game in the same mold as that of her senior mentor.

“I watch how [Vaillancourt] plays, and I try to pick out certain things that I wouldn’t be able to do,” Ryabkina said last November. “That’s the biggest thing, because she leads by example.”

In the middle of the season, forward Katharine Chute won a spot on the first line with tri-captains Jenny Brine and Vaillancourt, after a series of notable game-changing performances. These most recently include earning two assists against Clarkson, as well as notching two assists in the win against Cornell.

“It’s a pretty big honor for a sophomore,” Vaillancourt said. “But right from the first game that she played on the first line with us she was ready to go and just did what we told her to do and what the coaches told her to do.”

Another key player on the sophomore roster, Buesser is most renowned for her unwavering dedication to the game. While early on in the season Buesser struggled to put the puck in the net, practice has allowed her to perfect her shot.

“Buesser is a player that will always give everything that she has in practice and in the lifting room and obviously in games,” Vaillancourt said. “In the second half of the season, she has been a really important player for us, scoring really important goals and making really important plays all over the ice.”

This weekend, the Crimson faces its most important challenge of the season thus far in the final rounds of the ECAC Tournament. Harvard is counting on its second-year standouts to build on their outstanding play of late. If the sophomores continue to show how valuable they are to the current Crimson team’s efforts, they will also put themselves in a position to carry Harvard to future success.

“I have no doubt in my mind that they will turn into really good leaders and will keep Harvard hockey the same way it’s been for the past 25 or 30 years,” Vaillancourt said.